By Matt Smith
The Saints are set to enter a brand new period with Russell Martin sacked on the weekend, whereas Liverpool will likely be hoping to keep away from an upset seeking Arne Slot’s first little bit of silverware on the membership. The final time the 2 sides met on this competitors, Southampton scored a late winner to safe a spot within the ultimate, with Shane Lengthy firing them in entrance within the 90th minute at Anfield.
No contemporary accidents for the Saints
Simon Rusk, who has stepped in as interim supervisor whereas Southampton seek for a everlasting successor to Martin, confirmed that there have been no contemporary damage updates forward of the sport towards Liverpool.
First selection goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has just lately been on the remedy desk, however it’s unclear whether or not he’s going to be match sufficient to return to motion.
Southampton struggling at each ends
Southampton’s kind this season, barring a powerful run thus far within the Carabao Cup, has been extremely disappointing on their return to the Premier League. The Saints are struggling at each ends of the pitch, with no aspect scoring fewer targets per sport than them, whereas in addition they concede 2.3 instances per match.
The season stats for the entrance three who featured in Martin’s ultimate sport paint a disturbing image, contributing simply three targets between them in the course of the 2024/2025 Premier League marketing campaign. They’re now making ready to face one of the crucial in-form groups in Europe, so it’s set to be a troublesome night for the Saints.
Jota not anticipated to start out
Slot was given an enormous increase within the Premier League on the weekend with Diogo Jota making his return to motion off the bench, approaching to attain a late equaliser.
Slot has confirmed that Jota isn’t anticipated to start out towards Southampton as he ‘wasn’t totally match’ after the sport towards Fulham. Caoimhin Kelleher is anticipated to come back again into the beginning XI, in response to the Liverpool boss.
Liverpool’s assault may very well be an excessive amount of for the Saints
The Reds have been carving out alternatives at will this season, creating 60 huge possibilities within the Premier League, greater than another aspect. Containing Mohamed Salah has been an nearly unimaginable process for a lot of, with the Egyptian ahead managing 22 targets and assists mixed in England’s high flight.
Admirably, Slot has additionally coached his aspect fantastically defensively, with Liverpool conceding simply 0.9 targets per sport within the Premier League this season. Solely Arsenal have conceded fewer anticipated targets (xG), so it’s secure to say Southampton and Liverpool have been at reverse ends of the spectrum this time period.
Prediction
Contemplating Liverpool’s phenomenal attacking kind and Southampton’s struggles defensively, it’s tough to see previous an away win. The Saints have additionally discovered it tough to hit the again of the web, whereas the Reds are compact on the again, so a snug 3-0 win for Liverpool is our prediction for this one.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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