Though Southampton have been struggling recently (with two wins in their last five), they did manage a draw against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester last time out despite playing with ten men, coming back from 0-1 down to equalize with a Ward-Prowse penalty on 61’. This mentality is what they’ll want to face Liverpool, who have played a game on repeat of late wherein they start strong, waste chances (managing a goal, usually, when they could have far more) before conceding in the second half.

Liverpool will hope their unexpected break has reset performances, and despite their draw last time out, Southampton might hope the same: in their subsequent three loses they managed to score only one goal, conceding six.

The Saints come into the final two weeks of the season in 15th on 37 points (level on points with Brighton in 14th), though they have a game in hand. While they’re not quite safe from the drop as it stands, their final four games are against Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leeds, and West Ham. Given the mix of quality, this match is not a must-win for Hassenhüttl’s men.

Daniel Ings, their leading scorer (11) remains out for another week, and Ryan Bertrand remains sidelines as well. Oriol Romeu is questionable, and will be assessed late on Friday.

Their attacking sharpness is therefore dented somewhat, though Liverpool will still have to worry about James Ward-Prowse’s set piece magic (7 goals, just one coming from open play), and Che Adams (7 goals scored) has been lively making things tick in the lead-up to goals. Adams will be one to target to stifle the Saints attack, and the Reds will need to be careful to avoid giving up free kicks in dangerous areas.

Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mané

This might be a chance to see Jürgen Klopp pick his strongest side without managing fitness concerns, as the Manchester United fan protest has given the Reds quite a lengthy breather. The midfield is one to watch: it has seemed as though Klopp has been managing Thiago’s minutes carefully (that he didn’t start either leg against Real Madrid is certainly interesting), but he should get the nod alongside Fabinho and a hopefully refreshed Gini Wijnaldum.

Of course, due to the rescheduling of the very Manchester United game that gave so many players — like Nat Phillips, who has returned to fitness — much-needed rest, Liverpool will now play five games in the last two weeks of the season. As such, the lineup against Southampton may be part of a time management plan aimed to help the side achieve maximum points over this tightly-scheduled period.

Per Klopp’s pre-match press conference, Jordan Henderson is “running outside,” but has not yet returned to full fitness after picking up a groin issue; there is no other new injury news.

Looking at Southampton’s 4-4-2 structure, Klopp notes that the side defend all “predictable” passes well, and press well in the midfield. As a result, his side must be “unpredictable,” “cheeky,” and “brave” to beat Hassenhüttl’s side. This sounds like a Thiago and Bobby Firmino job, but we could see Diogo Jota get some time, either in place of one of the standard front three or in addition, in the changed formation. Given the second half slump that’s happened lately, however, it might be good to have someone clinical off the bench.

Liverpool will aim to remain calm and take advantage of moments when their counter-press does not work out, all while being prepared to handle it when it does.

What the Managers Had to Say
Jurgen Klopp: “[Southampton are] a well-tuned machine, a pressing and counter-pressing machine, so that’s tricky. They are always very lively, it’s all set up in a specific way and everybody knows exactly what he has to do. I think it is a joy to watch Southampton games. Maybe they didn’t win often enough as well, that’s why they are in the position they are, but the football they play is at least always a very lively version of our wonderful game and I like that.”

Ralph Hasenhüttl: “They are still fighting for the Champions League – they have a small chance to go there still – so they have to win against us and we are playing to climb a few positions, so we must be as motivated as they are.”

The Officials
Referee: Kevin Friend Assistants: Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes Fourth official: Andy Madley VAR: Andre Marriner Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday

Kickoff is set for 8:15PM BST/3:15PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on LiveSoccerTV. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.

Okay

Draw soup..

Up Liverpool

3-1
Victory to liverpool

Saints, let's do this.....Ralph Hasenhüttl, this is our moment.

We are at home, let's give our all...

ghettokid1 emeijeh vickyrotex angelfrost fuckingmallam45 ebukahades10 gbest90 Wordson crazygod kyase ray07 redblood01 dfrost lamasta chikason22 Oludharay openmine rodwave JidennaJason PlayerMaker14 theboss100

fergie001:
Saints, let's do this.....Ralph Hasenhüttl, this is our moment.

We are at home, let's give our all...

ghettokid1 emeijeh vickyrotex angelfrost fuckingmallam45 ebukahades10 gbest90 Wordson crazygod kyase ray07 redblood01 dfrost lamasta chikason22 Oludharay openmine rodwave JidennaJason PlayerMaker14 theboss100

We??! Isn't Liverpool the host tonight??!...

Liverpool will walk alone Tonight

Angelfrost:


We??! Isn't Liverpool the host tonight??!...

Haba...are you the one asking this question again?

Anfield is Liverpool's away ground nah...U sef

fergie001:
Saints, let's do this.....Ralph Hasenhüttl, this is our moment.

We are at home, let's give our all...

ghettokid1 emeijeh vickyrotex angelfrost fuckingmallam45 ebukahades10 gbest90 Wordson crazygod kyase ray07 redblood01 dfrost lamasta chikason22 Oludharay openmine rodwave JidennaJason PlayerMaker14 theboss100

Oga Fergie abeg carry your trouble commot for this thread. Na beg I dey beg.

fergie001:

Haba...are you the one asking this question again?

Anfield is Liverpool's away ground nah...U sef

Chisos!!!.. You mean our defending champions have become "Homeless"?!!

Angelfrost:


Chisos!!!.. You mean our defending champions have become "Homeless"?!!

Exactly

Gbest90:


Oga Fergie abeg carry your trouble commot for this thread. Na beg I dey beg.

#YNWA

Can we really catch up to Leicester?

fergie001:
Saints, let's do this.....Ralph Hasenhüttl, this is our moment.

We are at home, let's give our all...

ghettokid1 emeijeh vickyrotex angelfrost fuckingmallam45 ebukahades10 gbest90 Wordson crazygod kyase ray07 redblood01 dfrost lamasta chikason22 Oludharay openmine rodwave JidennaJason PlayerMaker14 theboss100

Liverpool is no longer a threat jawe.
It's hightime we denounced them of the top 6.

We appreciate all the effort of Klopp.

fergie001:
Saints, let's do this.....Ralph Hasenhüttl, this is our moment.

We are at home, let's give our all...

ghettokid1 emeijeh vickyrotex angelfrost fuckingmallam45 ebukahades10 gbest90 Wordson crazygod kyase ray07 redblood01 dfrost lamasta chikason22 Oludharay openmine rodwave JidennaJason PlayerMaker14 theboss100

Na here I go kee you

Come rain, come sunshine YNWA

Best of luck to Klopp

Liverpool v Southampton line-ups
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Williams, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jota, Mane, Salah

Subs: Adrian, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Tsimikas, Shaqiri, Woodburn, Williams, Koumetio.

Southampton: Forster, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestegaard, Stephens, Tella, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Redmond, Walcott, Adams

Subs: McCarthy, Djenepo, Obafemi, Salisu, Diallo, Ramsay, N’Lundulu, Ferry, Jankewitz

You go REDS

fergie001:
Saints, let's do this.....Ralph Hasenhüttl, this is our moment.

We are at home, let's give our all...

ghettokid1 emeijeh vickyrotex angelfrost fuckingmallam45 ebukahades10 gbest90 Wordson crazygod kyase ray07 redblood01 dfrost lamasta chikason22 Oludharay openmine rodwave JidennaJason PlayerMaker14 theboss100

Na every club be ur club... U better go focus on ur Europa Cup final...

Noted

It's disheartening what we av reduced to... I mean dis was dsame team&coach dat bossed d EPL last season, won d UCL 2 seasons away& was d team to beat earlier dis season.. now we av become a laughing stock..What happened?!
I pray we bounce back next season to what we used to be...
However, I don't want a draw soup tonight

Liverpool wan play with their Academy

Kirchhoff01:
Liverpool wan play with their Academy

No b lai o, our feeder club

The unfaithful s

Mane scores.

So sweet

Why is here empty

Mod update Liv 1:0 Southampton

fergie001:

#YNWA

YNWA my gee.