Austin has Southampton’s first strike at goal in the match, and Alisson beats it away with a punch and gives the Saints a late corner which is cleared immediately by Liverpool.
89'
SALAH SCORES BUT IT’S OFFSIDE! After a number of whacks towards goal by Milner – the second of which is cleared off the line – Salah nicks in to tap the ball home once and for all, but the linesman raises his flag as the Egypt forward is clearly offside.
87'
Milner clips it in for Salah but while the intention is a good one, the execution is not and Southampton can clear.
86'
Vestergaard puts in a bad tackle on Salah from behind and gives Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous area with less than five minutes to play.
84'
Liverpool win a corner but it’s taken predictably short by Milner towards Alexander-Arnold. The full-back sprays a pass to Salah whose chipped delivery for Firmino is blocked immediately on the edge of the area. The deflection allows Robertson to storm in and have a crack from the volley, but he sails his chance high.
82'
Perhaps Hughes’ final substitution could have come earlier in the match to give his side some hope of scoring, but it was not to be. The very nature of the substitution – a like for like switch – reveals the managers’ lack of faith in earning a result.
79'
C. Austin enters the game and replaces S. Long.
With 11 minutes to go, Mark Hughes makes his final substitution and takes out Shane Long for Charlie Austin.
76'
Lemina hits a first-time pass to Long who barely even moved to attempt to get on the end of the delivery. This is extremely frustrating as Southampton are surely capable of higher quality football than this.
74'
Milner passes down a blind alley for Long to intercept, but Matip’s pressure off his back forces the striker to put the ball out for a Liverpool throw-in. Even down three with time ticking away, there are no Southampton players in the Liverpool half.
Minute
Description
72'
Liverpool are passing in neat triangles now, not really looking to get forward and add to the lead, but sap away precious minutes from the match. There’s still 20 to play, but both teams are fairly convinced of the result by this stage.
70'
N. Keïta enters the game and replaces G. Wijnaldum.
Liverpool’s final substitution is in midfield, with Naby Keita entering the fray to replace Georginio Wijnaldum.
68'
Long chases down a loose ball in the penalty area but gets beat to the punch by Matip who shields the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
66'
The match has really slowed down of late, with Liverpool happy to claim the three points with a three-goal showing, and Saints seemingly ready for the bus ride home. Southampton continue to chase possession, but all they’re doing is tiring themselves out.
64'
Almost 70 minutes into the match, and Southampton have yet to register a strike at Alisson’s goal. It has been that kind of afternoon for a Saints side that started the match with a shape not conducive to clawing back a deficit – and little has been done from the manager’s technical area to change that.
62'
Liverpool pile on the pressure as a number of crosses come into the area from varying positions, with McCarthy’s decisive punch on Alexander-Arnold’s delivery enough to push Liverpool back and allow Southampton to come forward with the ball.
60'
Cedric’s cross goes all the way to the back post where the only one waiting is Alexander-Arnold who picks up possession and has time to turn and look for his next pass.
58'
Firmino looks to play Mane into the penalty area with a deceptive pass but Vestergaard is wise to the build-up and he intercepts with an outstretched leg.
56'
M. Lemina gets yellow.
Mario Lemina is given the match’s second booking; a yellow card for a foul in midfield.
55'
J. Bednarek enters the game and replaces Oriol Romeu.
J. Gomez enters the game and replaces V. van Dijk.
S. Armstrong enters the game and replaces M. Targett.
Oriol Romeu – carded earlier for a challenge on Henderson – is removed for Jan Bednarek in order to avoid the suspension that would come with a second booking.
Matt Targett is also withdrawn at the same time, with Stuart Armstrong his replacement.
Virgil Van Dijk is taken off in an enforced substitution as it looks as though the centre-back has picked up a slight knock which isn’t worth the risk. Joe Gomez enters the pitch looking to see out the victory.
52'
Alexander-Arnold swings in a cross which is deflected by Hoedt into the path of both Salah and McCarthy. The goalkeeper wins the footrace after hesitating slightly, which allowed the Liverpool forward almost enough time to nick in and put it in for Liverpool’s fourth.
48'
The substitution of Milner has changed Liverpool’s shape slightly, with Klopp reverting back to the 4-3-3 he employed against Spurs. Klopp seems happy with the lead and this move is seemingly to see out the victory and solidify the midfield.
46'
J. Milner enters the game and replaces X. Shaqiri.
Southampton look to overcome a three goal deficit as they kick-off the second half!
James Milner is on to start the second half, replacing Xherdan Shaqiri.
45' +4
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON.
45' +3
Mohamed Salah has scored a goal for Liverpool!
SHAQIRI COMES CLOSE BUT SALAH GETS THE GOAL! Shaqiri’s inch-perfect left-footed curling free-kick smashes off the underside of the crossbar and bounces downwards, allowing the onrushing Salah to tap it in easily with the goalkeeper out of the way. 3-0!
45' +2
Salah wins a free-kick outside the Southampton penalty area after Hoedt is deemed to have used too much force to win the ball back. Can Liverpool add a third before the half-time whistle?
45' +1
Lemina loses the ball to a perfectly timed Mane slide tackle just outside the penalty area. The Senegal striker then turns towards goal and curls a shot on target which is directed towards the goalkeeper for an easy save.
44'
Shaqiri’s pass for Salah in the penalty area is intercepted and cleared but only as far as Firmino who has a whack at it – forcing a wonderful save from McCarthy.
42'
Bertrand finds Hojbjerg completely alone in the penalty area but the former Bayern Munich midfielder cannot get the ball out of his feet to hit a shot first-time at Alisson. The miscued effort gives Liverpool time to clear the ball from their box.
40'
With five minutes left in the first half, it doesn’t look like Saints will get a confidence-boosting goal before the interval. It’s been routine for the home side so far who have been put under very little pressure.
38'
The ball comes over-the-top for Firmino but Vestergaard gets a head on it. Unfortunately for the centre-back, his clearing nod hits the back of Firmino and falls to Salah in the penalty area. McCarthy is quickly off his line though and he beats the forward to the ball.
36'
Shaqiri takes an in-swinging corner to the near post for Mane but his awkward header only finds the foot of a Southampton defender who boots it downfield to Alisson.
34'
Oriol Romeu gets yellow.
Oriol Romeu is, unsurprisingly, the first name taken by the match official today after the Saints midfielder’s terrible two-footed tackle on Henderson in midfield. It’s a deserved yellow.
33'
Cedric puts a cross into the area, but it misses the heads of Long and Redmond in the penalty area. It falls to the back post for Targett, but his recycled ball is extremely poor and gives possession back to Liverpool.
31'
Long, the Saints’ only recognised striker on the pitch is deep in his own half to help the rest of his side defend. Wijnaldum winds up and has an almighty crack at goal from outside the area but he balloons his effort over the crossbar.
29'
Southampton cannot get a foothold in this match as Liverpool are confidently controlling the flow of the match. The Saints, on the rare occasion they win possession, do not have enough outlets to move forward and force the home side on their heels in defence. Redmond and Long are chasing shadows at the moment.
27'
Hojbjerg gets the ball just outside the penalty area and looks to start something by having a hit at goal, but Van Dijk is in the perfect position to tap it away. He has had a fantastic opening 30 minutes against his former side who could really use his presence in defence in a match like this.
25'
First Hoedt gives Liverpool the lead after a horrible own goal, and then Vestergaard gets out-battled by Matip on the Reds’ second. It will be a long afternoon for the Southampton centre-backs who are being put under immense pressure by Klopp’s versatile attacking line-up.
21'
J. Matip has scored a goal for Liverpool! Assist by T. Alexander-Arnold.
CEDRIC SAVES THE DAY! Salah’s one-two pass with Firmino gets the Egypt forward in front of McCarthy all alone, but Cedric comes out of nowhere to put in a wonderful slide tackle which puts the ball out for a corner and denies a sure goal!
JOEL MATIP DOUBLES THE ADVANTAGE FROM THE CORNER! It’s a basic corner taken to the penalty spot and the Liverpool centre-back simply outfights Vestergaard to the aerial ball and nods his effort brilliantly past the goalkeeper! 2-0 Liverpool!
Trent Alexander-Arnold gets the assist as his set-piece delivery led to Matip's goal!
20'
Shaqiri falls to the ground while chasing a pass from Alexander-Arnold but the referee intelligently calls play-on as Firmino gets on the end of the pass and sends a ball across the face of goal for Salah, but the pass never arrives as a defender cuts out the danger.
18'
There are appeals for a penalty as Redmond takes a tumble in the penalty area under the weight of the presence of Firmino. The Saints forward immediately looks to the match official who disagrees with his protestations and allows play to continue.
16'
Hoedt attempts to clear the ball from danger but delivers the ball right to Alexander-Arnold on the right. Fortunately for Saints, the young full-back’s cross is poor and right into the gloves of the keeper.
14'
It looks as though Southampton’s best chance at a goal will be via a set-piece. Hoedt and Vestergaard are both very physical defenders and quite aerially able, which could lead to danger from corner-kicks. Certainly Hoedt will be looking to make amends for his earlier error…
12'
Southampton have a corner on the left and it's taken to Vestergaard who bullies his marker but puts his headed effort well-wide of the post!
10'
W. Hoedt is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
Salah lays the ball off for Mane who sends a return pass to Salah via a little chip, but Vestergaard outmuscles the Liverpool striker and clears the ball for a corner-kick.
IT’S THE PERFECT START FOR LIVERPOOL THANKS TO AN OWN GOAL! Mane keeps the attack alive after a poor corner and finds Shaqiri, who cuts inside and curls a rather weak cross into the six-yard box which takes a nasty deflection and ricochets off Wesley Hoedt before getting past McCarthy in the Southampton goal! 1-0 to the home side!
9'
Targett flashes a low cross into the penalty area for Long whose run takes him just beyond Van Dijk. The experienced centre-back readjusts well and puts the ball out for a corner which is taken short and cleared for a Southampton throw.
7'
Liverpool are controlling the match, recycling the ball in defence and looking for the openings further forward. Southampton’s formation is causing quite a bit of a blockade in midfield, though the Reds are finding joy down the exposed flanks.
5'
Shaqiri delivers a ball into the box for Firmino but Soares is there to put the Brazil forward off and the ball rolls harmlessly out for a goal-kick. There should be some worry for Hughes on the sideline however as Shaqiri is constantly losing his marker and running free in the final third.
3'
Salah looks to send Shaqiri through on goal but Hoedt comes across well to make the interception on the edge of the penalty area.
1'
Liverpool get the match underway from the kick-off!
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield!
Normally associated with breathtaking displays of attacking quality, it has really been their defence – especially at home – which has kept Liverpool in and around first place. Anfield has been an absolute fortress, with Klopp’s side have hosted seven consecutive Premier League matches without conceding. The arrival of Virgil Van Dijk last January really whipped the one-time ropey back line into shape; with the Netherlands international captain currently maintaining a record of 0.5 goals allowed per match when he features.
Will it be a case of the Immutable Law of the Ex as Virgil Van Dijk welcomes his former club to his new home? Results have picked up as late for Mark Hughes who has four points in his last two matches after managing a draw and two losses in his first three.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, the team news has been confirmed! Let's start with the home side!
Liverpool Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Andrew Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Sadio Mane, Xherdan Shaqiri, Mohamed Salah; Roberto Firmino.
Southampton Substitutes: Steven Davis, Charlie Austin, Stuart Armstrong, Maya Yoshida, Angus Gunn, Jan Bednarek, James Ward-Prowse.
Southampton Starting XI (3-5-1-1): Alex McCarthy; Jannick Vestergaard, Wesley Hoedt, Ryan Bertrand; Cedric Soares, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina, Matt Targett; Nathan Redmond; Shane Long.
Liverpool Substitutes: Simon Mignolet, James Milner, Alberto Moreno, Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Daniel Sturridge, Fabinho.
Mark Hughes also changes his formation, settling on a 3-5-1-1 after his 4-4-2 only managed a draw with Brighton on Monday. Mohamed Elyounoussi does not feature today and is replaced by Southampton youth product Matt Targett. The only other change is in midfield, where Oriol Romeu will look to shield the defence after being handed the start over Danny Ings.
Liverpool put their six-match winning streak in the Premier League on the line as they host Southampton who sit in 13th position.The enthralling victory over PSG in midweek should have the Reds full of confidence as they look to jump ahead of Chelsea and gain sole possession of top spot in the table.
The Saints have already made their way north to Merseyside this season, falling to Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park in the second match week of the season – with former Liverpool striker Danny Ings scoring the consolatory goal. Sparky’s side have had real problems in the city of Liverpool, with their last win over the Reds in the city coming exactly five years ago yesterday; a 1-0 victory thanks to a Dejan Lovren goal assisted by Adam Lallana –both of whom now play for today’s hosts.
Jurgen Klopp alters his team’s tactical set-up and will employ a 4-2-3-1 instead of the 4-3-3 used to beat Tottenham 2-1 a week ago. With the change in shape comes three personnel changes, one in each third of the pitch. In defence, Matip plays alongside Van Dijk in the heart of the defence, replacing Joe Gomez. James Milner is rested after putting in a man of the match performance against PSG midweek, and Henderson will return to the XI to dictate play. In attack, Keita will start the match on the bench, with Shaqiri looking to impress his new side.
It’s been a comfortable half for Liverpool who went up after 10 minutes thanks to a very poor Wesley Hoedt own goal. That gave the home side the confidence they needed and have since gone on to thoroughly dominate the first 45. The Reds doubled their lead after 20 minutes when Joel Matip took full advantage of a rare start to make his presence known from a corner. Liverpool’s third also came from a set-piece, when Shaqiri’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time struck the bar and allowed Salah to finish easily.
Southampton have done themselves no favours in the opening half. They have been exposed down the unprotected flanks by the pace of Mane and Salah and have been unable to take more space and force Klopp’s side to defend. In hindsight, Mark Hughes’ decision to play a single striker looks very odd, as Shane Long has had no service – probably because he’s needed to act as a shield in his own half.
That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Southampton! We hope you enjoyed it and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
From the 10th minute of the match, it was very apparent that Southampton were in for one of those days. Two of the three goals conceded were simply poor errors from Hughes’ defence, with an own goal and poor set-piece marking undoing the visitors. The loss condemns the Saints to their third loss in five matches and puts more pressure on the manager who has a very difficult upcoming fixture list.
Liverpool have a break from the Premier League as they host Chelsea on Wednesday in the League Cup. Southampton are off until next weekend when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves.
The job was done in the first half for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who didn’t need to add any in the second period of play to ensure a victory which sees them, at least overnight, in sole possession of first place in the Premier League. Liverpool had no issues slicing through the Southampton defence and creatively played through the wings which opened up acres of space in the centre of the pitch. It was a professional performance from the Reds, who make it six wins from six in the league.
Commentary
More…