After five rounds of games, the Premier League table is beginning to take shape and it makes pleasant reading for Liverpool fans.
Jurgen Klopp’s team start the weekend in second place on goal difference to Chelsea and with the Blues playing at West Ham United on Sunday, Liverpool have the opportunity to move clear at the top of the table.
Liverpool’s opponents are Southampton, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table. A win at Anfield would be a massive boost to Mark Hughes and his players but it is going to be a difficult task.
Liverpool come into this game on a high having scored a last minute winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The French champions were poor considering the talent in their team but Liverpool were made to fight until the final whistle to win 3-2.
That was Liverpool’s sixth win in a row this season in all competitions and the Reds have won each of their five Premier League games. Last weekend was supposed to be their biggest test of the campaign to date and Liverpool passed, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley.
Trends show Liverpool have the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 2 goals but they have conceded in each of their last two Premier League games and in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last twenty-one home Premier League games and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last seven at Anfield.
Southampton moved into a 2-0 lead against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday night but failed to hold on to take maximum points. The Saints conceded 2 goals in the second half, with the equaliser coming in the 90th minute.
However, Southampton are undefeated in their last three matches in all competitions, having previously won at Brighton in the League Cup and defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 away from home in the Premier League, which was a good result.
Despite some positive recent results, Southampton’s overall Premier League form is very poor. Trends show Southampton have won only four of their last thirty Premier League matches. The good news is two of those four wins have come away from home and Southampton have lost only one of their last five on the road.
Team news and Liverpool could make a few changes to the team which played in mid-week. Roberto Firmino is expected to start having recovered from the eye injury he suffered last weekend to score off the bench against PSG. Naby Keita could come into the midfield having been rested on Tuesday.
Southampton have no injury or suspension concerns but striker Danny Ings, who has looked sharp this season, cannot play against his parent club. Charlie Austin is expected to join Shane Long up-front.
It’s difficult to predict anything other than a home win in this game. Liverpool have not looked as strong at the back in recent games and Southampton may get on the score sheet but the home team have too much talent in attack and should take maximum points.