Pre Match: Southampton V Liverpool (19th Nov 2016 - 3pm)

Bugger I hope Lallana will be ok after going off tonight ...

Why play one of the hardest working players in Hendo for a full pointless friendly. F***ing cockbags.

Meh its his job to play football. Will be happening all over the world, our players playing full matches. Just what happens when you buy players of international class. They play internationals.

Meh its his job to play football. Will be happening all over the world, our players playing full matches. Just what happens when you buy players of international class. They play internationals.

Not the point though is it mate. No need for him to be playing a full friendly. Qualifiers yes but pointless friendly no.

Especially when you consider the amount of work he does.

Even more so when keepers and defenders are getting subbed... WTF

We did alright (continuing the momentum) after the last international break. 

Players can get injured at any time in any game - hence the importance of good squad depth. 

We should win, what could be an open game, comfortably. 

3-1 win.

And we'll take Ryan Bertrand back on the bus home with us.

Any news on Lallana?

Any news on Lallana?

Not yet, we should hear later today.

Hopefully he will be fit for the next clash he's a key player for us now.

If lallana doesn't make it, we could move bob back a couple of yards and put studge up top.
And let him know, if he doesn't graft and close down he's in the ressies until he learns. 😠

Looking at Saints forums they are very pessimistic of getting a result and seem more fixated on what songs they can sing to their ex players 

Hasn't been a good song out of Southampton since John Lennon stood on a dock there.

If lallana doesn't make it, we could move bob back a couple of yards and put studge up top.
And let him know, if he doesn't graft and close down he's in the ressies until he learns. 😠

That didn't work very well vs. Man United, not sure if it was because of Sturridge or that Bobby didn't do well in the midfield. When Lallana came on at 60 minutes and Bobby moved back up, everything clicked again.

So if Adam can't play, I would hope to see Gini join Hendo and Emre in midfield, and stay with Mane, Robby and Phil up front.

That didn't work very well vs. Man United, not sure if it was because of Sturridge or that Bobby didn't do well in the midfield. When Lallana came on at 60 minutes and Bobby moved back up, everything clicked again.

So if Adam can't play, I would hope to see Gini join Hendo and Emre in midfield, and stay with Mane, Robby and Phil up front.

Probably right there Robby. I'm trying to make a case for Sturridge. Probably come back and bite me on the arse though

I would imagine considering the long journey from South Anerica that Couts might be on the bench meaning Sturridge gets a start.

Gini will step in for Lallana - it's great to have some depth for once and not be fretting which youngster will be filling in.

Just thank fu...ck the internationals are done now for a few months! Is there anything more boring than the mind numbing footy that replaces the EPL! Plenty of Saints lads on duty this past week so it's no great disadvantage. I fancy us to win it 2-1 with Mane pissing his ex-team off royally!

Would happily go for a strong, assured but boring 1-0 win.
A clean sheet eventually is important.

https://twitter.com/JamesPearceEcho/status/799185718794919936

Bit miffed about Lallana but I still think we'll be too skilful and carry on where we left off against Watford..

We completely embarrassed Watford and I can't see any reason why we can't embarrass Southampton as well.

We have a decent record down there so expect 3 more points and to remain top..

 

With Lallana out and Wijnaldum coming back in I wonder where everyone is going to fit? It could just be a straight swap for the two I guess, Wijnaldum played CAM for Newcastle plenty.

We could see Wijnaldum play on the left and put Coutinho in the hole where Lallana normally plays. Wijnaldum usually occupies the left side of the CM two anyway.

Alternatively but unlikely Can may be dropped for Wijnaldum, play Coutinho as the number 10, put Mane on the left and Sturridge on the right?

Or maybe we'll see another formation entirely? 

It's nice to have these options!

Yeah.. Jürgen and his staff will have had two full weeks to study Southampton and will be programming whoever he picks to eradicate any threats and to kill on sight..
Southampton, on the other hand will be making sure there's plenty of bog roll in the home dressing room toilets..

Probably right there Robby. I'm trying to make a case for Sturridge. Probably come back and bite me on the arse though

I definitely get wanting to have Sturridge on the park. It truly is a great problem to have, but I don't know the solution either.

Looks like Lallana will be missing V Saints so I'm guessing Wijnaldum will play n his stead, but will he? Probably but... We could see Cou drop back and see Studge up top with Bobby & Mane,
The likelihood is this.........

             Karius
Clyne Matip Lovren Milner
         Henderson
Wijnaldum.   Emre Can
Mane Firmino Coutinho.........

Rather than this...........
           
                      Karius
Clyne Matip Lovren Milner
               Henderson
      Emre Can.    Coutinho
Mane.    Sturridge. Firmino

We'll miss Adam for sure but still have enough to rip Saints a new halo 😇

1_2 Mighty Reds

YNWA

First game trying to defend top spot. Ohhh the pressure.

Think Southampton will finish higher than were they are at the minute. I think there in European competition for a good reason.

Wouldn't massively surprise me if they finished 6th.

With Lallana out I'd try to find a way to work Sturridge back in.

I really don't see the absence of Lallana as a big problem, not that I'm suggesting he's not important to us, just that we are so fluid these days with so many options off the bench that we can easily accommodate his absence.