The reds have had a great start to the season and are currently top of the Premier League. Next up we face Southampton, a side who were the last team to beat us when they gave us a bit of a hiding back in March last season. That display from Liverpool was one of our worst of the last campaign and it’s something we need to rectify on Saturday at Anfield.
The injuries are stacking up though as Brazilian playmaker, Philippe Coutinho, has been sidelined for 6 weeks with a shoulder injury which he sustained in the 2-2 draw away to Swansea City on Monday night. He adds to the already injured Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho, who remain out for some time. Kolo Toure is back though and Joe Allen is also expected to be in the squad again, and this is the last game of Luis Suarez’ 10 match ban. Once this game is taken care of, we can call upon his mercurial talent in Coutinho’s absence.
Southampton looked a good team last season and manager, Mauricio Pochettino, adapted really well to the Premier League when he took over the reigns from Nigel Adkins. They have two very good combative midfielders in Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama, but also dangerous attacking options in the form of Gaston Ramirez, Dani Osvaldo and fellow Scouser, Rickie Lambert, who is also a boyhood Liverpudlian. I personally feel this could be a tough game and they could cause us a few problems, but with it being at home, we have to be confident that we can claim the 3 points.
I have a feeling Brendan Rodgers may go with three centre halves for the game and play Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, providing he’s fit to return. If he fails to make it, then Mamadou Sakho will retain his place after an interesting debut against Swansea, shall we say. That would then mean playing Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique as the right and left wingbacks, with Lucas and Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield. I’d expect Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses to be definite starters, both were our goal scorers at the Liberty Stadium on Monday, so hopefully Moses will keep his place, as Sturridge definitely will. The other attacking position is up for grabs with Iago Aspas, Raheem Sterling and Luis Alberto – who scored a midweek hat trick for the U21’s – all vying for a starting berth. I personally think that Aspas will be selected. But it will be interesting to see what type of side Rodgers goes with and whether or not he feels a change to the shape of the side is too much of a risk.
This is a game that we should win, but as I mentioned before, I do think Southampton are a decent side and will make it tough for us, I’m predicting a 2-1 win for Liverpool, with goals coming from the man of the moment, Daniel Sturridge, and a first goal for the club from Iago Aspas. If Southampton get on the score sheet, I think it will be through Scouser, Rickie Lambert.
Below are my 5 recommended bets for the game:
– Liverpool 2-1 Southampton (Correct Score) With Liverpool looking to continue good form but Southampton having big strikers that could cause us problems, I’m going for a 2-1 home win. To follow Jay and bet on this market, click here
– Daniel Sturridge (1st Goal Scorer) Sturridge’s form speaks for itself. With a goal in every single Premier League game he’s played this season, it’s hard to bet against him not carrying it on. To follow Jay and bet on this market, click here
– Iago Aspas (Anytime Goal Scorer) Aspas hasn’t looked the liveliest so far this season, but can be a goal threat. If he starts, I fancy him to net his first PL goal for the club. To follow Jay and bet on this market, click here
– Victor Wanyama (Yellow Card Anytime) Wanyama is a big, strong player. He uses that part of the game a lot. With us on the attack, I can see him giving away a few fouls. To follow Jay and bet on this market, click here
– Rickie Lambert (Anytime Goal Scorer) Lambert will undoubtedly be up for the game, as he’s a Liverpudlian. He’s in good form for Club and Country and represents the sort of forward Liverpool often have problems with. To follow Jay and bet on this market, click here
