Unavailable:
Liverpool – Sturridge, Ings, Gomez, Henderson, Flanagan
Southampton – Forster, Gardoş, Long
As Jürgen Klopp readies his team for his inaugural
Premier League game at Anfield, he is still waiting for his first win. After
leaving Borussia Dortmund, he has bided his time and waited for the opportune
moment to take a managerial position, yet he no doubt saw the potential of the
Merseyside club instead of a squad which does not currently have the ability to
challenge at the very top of the Premier League. Liverpool clearly have the
tools to replicate their title challenge of 2014, but Klopp and the infamous
transfer committee will have to buy wisely. Until that point, the German will
be allowed time due to his unique, engaging character, and the fact that he has
inherited a team that is not his own.
Although the new manager does have to find a
positive result on Sunday after two draws – one heartening, the other
deflating. This game offers him the chance to analyse how his new team perform
against a side who will not hesitate to pressure their opponents high up the
pitch. Southampton will go to Anfield in search of victory, and Klopp will be
wary of how the visitors will attempt to force his defence to make errors, as
Saints look to employ the same tactics that were used against them by Leicester
last weekend. They will also be glad to see Maarten Stekelenburg back in goal
after a nervous display from Kelvin Davis in the match against the Foxes. The
back four were unusually hesitant partly due to the change in personnel, and
surrendered a comfortable lead.
It is unlikely that this will prove to be a
problem this weekend, as the hosts will surely seize the initiative, and Saints
will have to find joy on the counter-attack. In matches away at the “big”
teams, Ronald Koeman has elected to select Sadio Mané in a central role, and
the more conservative Steven Davis on the right wing in a ploy to stretch their
opponents. The Northern Ireland captain should be able to restrict the
attacking Alberto Moreno, while Mané is far more effective playing in the hole.
When chosen on the right side, he offers real pace to his team on the wing,
however it does leave the team unbalanced as his crossing ability is not his principal
attribute – in contrast with his colleague on the left wing, Dušan Tadić.
Despite Klopp’s many injury problems, he has
had positive news in the past week as Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke are
now match fit. While it is debatable whether Firmino can play on the same pitch
as Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho because they all occupy such similar
roles; Benteke’s return provides a real relief, as Divock Origi continues to
misfire. José Fonte and Virgil van Dijk will have to prepare themselves for a
physical battle, yet the Belgian’s threat will depend on whether his teammates can
play to his strengths. He thrived at Villa due to expansive wing play, but Liverpool
seem to somewhat neglect this style – favouring likeminded narrow attacking
players instead of wingers.
Key
Battles
Clyne v
Tadić: Nathaniel
Clyne is undoubtedly the player who has enjoyed the most success after leaving
the South Coast for Merseyside. He has continued his fine form at his new club,
despite his side’s early season struggles. Therefore, it is imperative that
Tadić tracks back to contain the former Saint. Always willing to support the
attack on the overlap, the Serbian will have to contain that threat in order
for Southampton to have a fruitful trip to Anfield. If Jay Rodriguez replaces
the winger, Clyne may well be troubled should crosses come in from the right
wing – the full-back often loses aerial pursuits if pressured by a superior
header of the ball at the back post.
Lallana
v Wanyama: Lallana
has undoubtedly found it difficult to stamp his mark at Liverpool. No longer
the principal cog in a team built around him, the midfielder continually
struggles to impress at Anfield. He has suffered injury problems, yet the
principal issue which remains is that he has been unable to strike up a real
understanding with his fellow attacking players. He still has the ability to
carve open an opposition’s defence though, and Victor Wanyama will be tasked
with denying him the time to trouble the Saints rearguard. The Kenyan was
careless in last week’s draw with Leicester, as he picked up an unnecessary booking,
signifying that he was unable to assert his authority in the midfield. Yet it
has been this type of game when his talents have really come to the fore as he
anchors the midfield, against skilled opposition.
Possible
Line-ups
Liverpool:
Mignolet
– Clyne, Škrtel, Sakho, Moreno – Milner (C), Can – Firmino, Lallana, Coutinho –
Benteke
Bogdán, Touré, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Randall,
Teixeira
Southampton:
Stekelenburg
– Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, Ward-Prowse – S. Davis, Mané,
Tadić – Pellè
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