Southampton vs Liverpool report: Liverpool match report
Liverpool beat Southampton 2-1 away from home at St. Mary’s as Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino got on the scoresheet.
The big question before the game was whether Adrian would start the game and he did. Another interesting change was in Liverpool’s midfield, where they went for the energy of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Georginio Wjinaldum.
The devastating front-three and the tried and tested back-four made the rest of the side. Southampton tried to get on the front foot in the first couple of minutes and Liverpool had to be patient.
With 15 minutes gone, neither side really put a stamp on the game. Southampton didn’t create many chances of their own but did put the Liverpool backline under pressure.
The best chance of the game came from a James Ward-Prowse corner and Adrian had to show his reflexes, as Yoshida thought he’d scored. Southampton looked sound defensively and Liverpool were struggling to create any real chances. Che Adams has a fantastic chance with an open net to aim at in the 38th minute.
Liveroool were coming into the game on the back of an exhausting Super Cup game in midweek and it showed. Oriol Romeu was the best performer for the Saints and just before the half ended, Sadio Mane scored an absolute beauty from the edge of the box to give Liverpool an important lead.
The second half continued with the same frantic pace of the first half. Mohammed Salah didn’t get a lot of chances in the first half but he got his first sight on goal in the 56th minute.
However, Angus Gunn was in position to deny him. The game had opened up in the second half, as Southampton were now chasing for the equalizer.
Liverpool kept a lot more possession in the second half and the Saints struggled to have the same impact. Sadio Mane created a fantastic chance for Roberto Firmino in the 65th minute but the Brazilian strayed it just wide. Danny Ings came close with a shot from range to make an instant impact off the bench.
Southampton gave the ball away cheaply to Sadio Mane for the Senegalese to set it up perfectly for Roberto Firmino to provide the finish. Liverpool led 2-0 and the game was as good as done in the 71st minute. Liverpool were in complete control of the game and were creating chances with all the spaces available.
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It looked like Liverpool were going to run away with the game but Adrian gifted a goal to Danny Ings in the 83rd minute after a loss of concentration. Liverpool were now on the ropes and Danny Ings missed a sitter in front of goal in the 86th minute after a beautifully weighted pass from Yan Valery.
Liverpool had to withstand a nervy couple of minutes in the end. The Reds weren’t at their best but bad enough to get the 3 points.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the result: