Liverpool faced off against Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium earlier today hoping to stretch their Premier League winning streak to 11 matches. The Reds made a slow start to the game and allowed the Saints to create some decent goal-scoring opportunities in the first half. However, Sadio Mane made a breakthrough just before half-time after his powerful strike was enough for the ball to rifle into the opposition net.
The Merseyside outfit were much more dominant in the second half and scored their second goal through Roberto Firmino’s clever finish from close range. However, Adrian’s mistake allowed the Saints a way back into the game after Danny Ings closed him down and deflected the ball into the Liverpool net in the 83rd minute. The match ended with the visitors narrowly emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline away at the South-coast of England.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Saints.
GK: Adrian – 4/10
The Spanish keeper made some brilliant saves during the game. However, he gifted the Saints a goal in the second half, which will worry Klopp.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English full-back began the contest a bit slow but put in a strong performance in the second half. He whipped in a few dangerous crosses from the right flank and was a potent threat from dead-ball situations.
CB: Joel Matip – 8/10
The Cameroonian centre-back had a lot of defending to do in the first half. He was dominant at the back and bullied the Southampton attackers well to keep things tidy inside the Liverpool penalty box.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 8/10
The Dutch defensive ace didn’t put in a foot wrong in the game. He sprayed some excellent crosses from the back and commanded his own box with ease and grace.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
The Scotland international worked his socks off for his team and linked up well with Mane down the left-wing. His influence in the opposition half grew stronger in the second half.
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6.5/10
The former Arsenal prospect had a good game while operating in a box to box role in midfield. He passed the ball accurately but failed to create many chances in the Saints half.
CM: James Milner – 7/10
It was another tireless display from the Liverpool veteran. He won a lot of 50-50 duels despite suffering a head injury in the first half.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
The Dutch midfield ace struggled to make an impact in the first half. However, he put in a much-improved shift in the second as he started to link up more with Firmino and Salah.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 6/10
The Egyptian winger was unusually quiet during the game and was unfortunate not to score when he was through on goal in the second half.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 7/10
The Brazilian forward missed a sitter in the second half but made up for his mistake by scoring a vital second goal for Liverpool which ultimately ended up deciding the contest.
LM: Sadio Mane – 9/10
The Senegalese speedster chose his moments to wreak havoc in the final third. He scored a beauty just before half-time when he found the back of the net with a powerful strike from outside the box. Mane was also responsible for winning possession back and setting up Firmino for Liverpool’s second goal of the night.
Substitutes:
CM: Fabinho – 6.5/10
The ex-Monaco talent brought some steel to the Liverpool midfield and did enough to help his side bag maximum points from the encounter.
LM: Divock Origi – 6/10
The Belgian striker was a decent outlet for the Reds on the counter during the latter stages of the match.
CM: Jordan Henderson – N/A
The Liverpool captain did not have enough time to influence the game.
