Southampton vs Liverpool - Preview, Team News & More

Liverpool face Southampton on matchday 12 of the Premier League

Liverpool travel to the St. Mary’s Stadium on Sunday, November 24th, for their matchday 12 meeting of the Premier League against Southampton. Formerly their bogie side, the Saints are no longer the team from a few years ago and so, the Reds should be able to continue their good form and maintain their five-point lead over Manchester City in the league standings.

As a matter of fact, Liverpool’s advantage at the summit of the English top flight over the defending champions could go to as high as eight points by the end of the matchday subject to Manchester City being beaten by Tottenham. Southampton, meanwhile, are rock-bottom and therefore, the Reds will go into the game as heavy favourites.

Team News

Southampton

Southampton have just one win to their name so far this season in the Premier League. Fortunately for the Liverpool match, they have not got any suspension issues to deal with although there could be as many as five absentees due to injury.

While Jan Bednarek is certainly ruled out, doubts have arisen over the availabilities of Aaron Ramsdale, Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart and William Smallbone.

The home side’s top goal-scorer is Cameron Archer who has scored twice in the Premier League this season. With little that they can do to thwart a high-flying Liverpool team, Southampton are likely to defend deep and try to dig out a point.

PREDICTED SOUTHAMPTON XI (5-3-2): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Sugawara, Stephens, Manning; Lallana, Aribo, Fernandes; Armstrong, Archer

Liverpool

Liverpool also have no suspensions on their trip to the south of England. Alisson Becker returned to training recently following his injury although it remains to be seen if he will be risked with fixtures against Real Madrid and Manchester City next in queue. Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain missing, however, as does the young Harvey Elliott.

All eyes will be on Mohamed Salah once more to warm up with a handful of goal contributions ahead of a potentially decisive week. Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz were also in great form for the Reds before the international break and are a couple of players that are very capable of causing problems to Southampton.

PREDICTED LIVERPOOL XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo

Match-deciding duel

Jack Stephens vs Mohamed Salah

If Liverpool are to win, Mohamed Salah will need to put his best foot forward so with that in mind, Southampton will ensure that their five-man backline doubles up against the Egyptian. He could resist pressure from Ryan Manning but whether or not he can do that from Jack Stephens as well remains to be seen on Sunday.

Liverpool have struggled versus the only low block they have played against so far, Nottingham Forest, and it will be interesting to see what Arne Slot has picked up from that game as the Reds would need to make a significant effort to overcome the Saints.

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Prediction

Southampton 0-2 Liverpool

Liverpool will make a strong start to proceedings and score two first half goals. The second half will see them keep control of the ball but not exert themselves more than they really need ahead of a busy week of fixtures. The South Americans could be afforded some rest given their lengthy flights to and from England over the last fortnight or so.