Southampton v Liverpool Pre-match thread Sat 16th March 3pm ko

Well after our excellent home win against Tottenham last Sunday, it's down to the South Coast to take on Southampton on Saturday.

Southampton have lost their last 3 games, in fact they haven't won since 9th Feb when they beat Man City 3-1 at home, whereas Liverpool are flying high and full of confidence with 12 goals in the last 3 League games.

Hopefully Pepe will be back between the sticks, he'd played so well at Wigan, it was a shame he was out last Sunday, but Jones did a good enough job in the end.

Hoping for another good win, Southampton are down in the relegation zone, so they'll be fighting hard for the points, but we have the players to get the much needed three points to keep our European hopes alive.

We beat them 1-0 at Anfield at the beginning of December with Agger getting the goal, and I can see us scoring a few more on Saturday 

We concentrated to win on Sunday we need to concentrate to avoid a potential 'Banana Skin' this weekend...think we should do well though.

Poll been added.

We concentrated to win on Sunday we need to concentrate to avoid a potential 'Banana Skin' this weekend...think we should do well though.

Really think we'll have to much for them, the form we're in, never take anything for granted though, and Brendan will make sure the lads know that.

Worries me that this is away. We really *should* batter them, but I won't be terribly surprised if they blindside us, unfortunately.

Looking forward to this one!

This one is on Setanta so i can watch it

This fixture has the makings of another Suarez show i think. We bossed the first game, hit the woodwork a couple of times and deserved to win by more than a goal. Hopefully we put on another strong team performance and be right up for this!

Worth noting in that game we had a front three of Suarez, Shelvey and Sterling. We now have an entirely new look!

Got a good feeling about this game, hopefully we can carry on our great form and our form in front of goal. Hope Luis manages to get a hat trick and take him past Torres' 24 in the league for us and just 1 behind his 33!

Will have to stay alert at the back though, they have shown this season they can hold their own, especially against City and United!

nice thread OP. was wondering when it will be posted up hehe around mid week, I start feeling the excitement and roam to our rival's forums to scope out their perspectives

anyways,... this is definitely a good test for us.  from last week's victory and the success we have had recently, this is one game that we 'should' win... now it's up the the lads to maintain that hunger, desire and consistency that has been our Achilles heel this season.  If we can pull out a convincing victory, then besides the BR system, the sync between players... we have really matured as a group

I suppose we'll probably line up something like this:

Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Enrique
Lucas Gerrard
Downing Suarez Coutinho
Sturridge

think we'll be alright.

That is indeed our strongest line up.

Gotta agree with you on seletion federer, and on paper/recent form we should win this one. Voted for easy win as that was the only 'win' option, but don't think it will be easy in any shape or form. Everyone knows we are capable of battering these, but a little complacency, lack of concentration, underestimate them or just plain ' don't think I have to work to hard today as its only Southampton'  This is what will shaft us. We need to go full bore, with the strongest side out, high tempo and get an early goal, then keep the presure on and press them hard. Anything less, and it truly could become the banana skin we all fear. With the bitters playing Man City, and not expecting to get anything from the game, that makes the win for us all the more important. Gotta nail this one, if we can continue with our current form, it could be 5 or 6 nil, but realisticly with our inconsistency i expect it to be 3 - 1 to us. Suarez hat trick for me.

I think we win this. I would really like us to score 4 here. Suarez with a hat trick and Sturrdge. I think Sturridge needs a goal to hit the groove again after a poor performance last week.

want to add that I would like to see Sturridge score one this weekend.  He's a good lad and i think sometimes it is tough playing with a guy like suarez who is a magnet for passes and goals.  with a goal here and there, Sturridge will come into stride and really give substantially more options for our mids... and definitely more trouble for the defenders

I suppose we'll probably line up something like this:

Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Enrique
Lucas Gerrard
Downing Suarez Coutinho
Sturridge

think we'll be alright.

Totally agree with this line-up but not convinced it will be an easy win as the poll asks, although I definitely think we'll have too much for them. Think we'll win by the odd goal and after the high of the Spurs game this is a tough game that the lads could easily under-estimate. Need really good tempo and intensity in our play early on, be a good test of mentality as much as ability this in my opinion.

2-1 to us.

We should win this for sure!
 I'd like to see:
         
               Jones
Johnson     Skrtel     Agger        Enrique
(Is wisdom injured?)

           Gerrard      Lucas
                       Hendo
Downing      Suarez       Coutinho

play Sturridge and Assaidi in the second half since we'll be leading by 3-0

The saints fighting for survival will play against there weight. Its important to get the first goal then i think they will fold quite easily. See reds winning 3-1 here with saurez, sturridge and enrique getting the honours.

That is indeed our strongest line up.

Absolutely it is. Hopefully a better performance from Sturridge up top and more of the same from Luis and Coutinho. Bit worried about defending free kicks and corners especially with Lambert in their attack. It really is a huge weakness in our game.

Looking for another good win here and our lads bringing the 3 points back to Anfield.I voted for a win in the poll but was a little dissapointed to see one of our own expect us to get beat.The way we have been playing lately we should be able to take Southampton apart.

Voted for a win but it won't be easy.
They are desperate for the points & we'll have to match them for commitment early doors.
Suarez & Sturridge both score 2-0 win
3 points

Seriously we should beat this team, 1 win in 7 or 8 since the new manager came in?...if Adkins was there, I would have thought, hmmm maybe a difficult one seeing how Arsenal & Man Utd struggled there.
Looks like the Southampton players want Adkins back as certainly not playing for the new one!

Yes, we need an early goal to unsettle them. Let's not be over confident. More importantly we have to continue pressing them, the goals will come naturally. Let Suarez continue with his twists and turns while Sturridge with his thunderbolt shots. If Sturridge could adjust his shooting accuracy a bit, he'll get a couple of goals.

Travel back home from India when this is on. Hopefully I'll be able to check the score when in transit in Dubai.

One of our tougher games left this one, need to be at the races from the first whistle or they could easily get something. A lot of big teams have struggled at St Marys.

Reina; Johnson, Carra, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard, Hendo; Downing, Suarez, Coutinho.

I'm actually more confident about picking up points at Southampton, Reading, QPR and Fulham not just because of the league table but because when we play these teams at home, at times it can get slow and we don't get the result. But away with the travelling kop making it almost like a home game should be we just seem so focused.

If Sturridge is out then I'd like Hendo in for this one.

Not an EASY win ... but a win .... if we are to maintain that the Spurs result was not another flash in the pan.

I wouldn't start Suarez in the same position he played against Spurs. The gap between him and the midfield duo was too big. I'd stick Suarez up top with Henderson in behind him and Sturridge on the bench.

I'm going 4-1, with us winning. I'd play the same team we went with vs Spuds and batter them.

Looking forward to this, getting picked up to go down at 5:30am.

Fancy us to win, but don't think we'll see a repeat of Wigan. Lambert will be a big threat and I've been impressed with Schneiderlin too. Can see him at a top side next season.

Here we are again.  We've put together a good run got a result from one of the better teams so we are due to lose to a team we should just brush aside.

But maybe not this time.  The team has gelled really well since Sturridge and Coutinho arrived and we have more depth in attack if that makes sense.

That is why I think this is not going to be the banana skin it would have been earlier in the season.  If we do brush them aside then I think we really have reached a new dawn not just a false one.

Come on you REDS make my day.

We win and Arsenal lose, we go 5th

We win and Arsenal lose, we go 5th

    Right on. That will be perfect!

Phil Dowd is the Ref for tomorrow's game.

We win and the 4th place opens up just a little bit more.

Phil Dowd is the Ref for tomorrow's game.

Expect him to be blowing up every 2 minutes then so he can have a breather - the big open-play-destroyer.

We win and the 4th place opens up just a little bit more.

Steady... let's get ourselves properly ahead of the blueshite first.

Same team that played vs Spurs for me, only with Pepe back in goal if he's fit. Southampton obviously fighting for life here, but it's a winnable game and if we're clinical in front of goal, we'll get the three points. There's definitely going to be amble chances to score, we just need to make sure we make the most of the them.

I hate this cliche, but it really is one of those "Take it one game at a time" scenarios.

Hopeful that the Reds can bag another win, although could be difficult with Southampton fighting for survival, still I will go for a 2-1 win.

Steady... let's get ourselves properly ahead of the blueshite first.

Say steady to me again and you'll be on the first plane back!! 

Southampton can be a tough team to play against, but I have a feeling we are going to trounce them!!  We have been leaking a few goals lately, but we have also been scoring quite a few as well.  I think we will win this 4-2 with Suarez grabbing a brace, Sturridge getting one, and Coutinho grabbing one

We win and Arsenal lose, we go 5th

Sure the Bitters have got Citeh, Remind me who the Arse have got ? they'll probably be knackered whatever !

Tough game in prospect. Not only have they performed quite well in some games against the the top sides but they are battling for every point they can get to stay up.

Our lads need the attitude tha this is a derby or the mancs or Chelsea etc. If we go in, as I suspect our lads do quite often, this is only Southampton were fooked.

The facts are were better all over the park then them if we turn up. Not sure if I'd change much from the Spurs game. Possibily give Suso the nod and spring Coutinho around the hour mark. What he could offer for the final 30 minutes could be the difference.

Ill say 2-1 to us 

We've said that it'll be tough against every small(er) team we've come up against, and 90% of the time we end up destroying them.

Now I'm definitely not taking anything for granted, but I expect us to win. It would be an absolute shocker if we didn't.

Say steady to me again and you'll be on the first plane back!! 

Well done 

Confident for this one.. Which, thinking about the Villa and West Brom games, probably means we're going to lose.

Seriously though, I fancy a bit of a goal glut if we've got Sturridge, Coutinho and Suarez out there.

Won't be an easy game as we have lost our last two visits to St Marys, 22nd Jan 2005 2-0 and 14 Mar 2004 2-0, still say we will win though and going for 0-3.

Out of all the matches being played in the race for fourth, I think we have the easiest task, and we really need to push on and put some pressure on those above us.

Win tomorrow and other results go our way, and 4th becomes a distinct possibility.

Believe.

So many times we've beaten a good team in a big game and made a 3 or 4 game winning streak, it fills us with confidence and everyone starts to say how well we're playing, and then we play one of the bottom teams and lose. We must make sure that doesn't happen here.

We have a chance this weekend. Arsenal are away to Swansea, which will be a difficult game. If Arsenal fail to win, and we beat the saints, we will leapfrog them. Ofcourse they have a game in hand but let's not look at that until they play it.

Also, we are ahead of Everton on goal difference, but they have a game in hand. This weekend they play City, and even though they are at home, I suspect they could get thrashed. They're playing awful at the moment, and I don't see them getting anything from that game tomorrow morning. So we can open up a 3 point gap with them. And after that, we should stay ahead of them for the rest of the season.

Spurs and Chelsea are both at home to Fulham and West Ham respectively on Sunday. I expect them to both win, so anything else would be a bonus. Having said that, we do need the likes of Spurs and Chelsea (or atleast one of them) to have a few slip ups in order to catch up. You never know. Both games are London derbys so it may not be that easy.

For now, let's focus on this: Beat Southampton tomorrow. Hopefully leapfrog Arsenal into 5th. Open up a 3 point gap over Everton. Then we can keep an eye out for the Sunday games and hope one of them (or both) slip up.

There's a lot more negative in this thread than there was in the Spurs thread before kick off. I think we will play solid, predicting us to win 2-0. Coutinho and Sturridge with the goals.

It's worth pointing out that the 'game in hand' for Everton and Arsenal is Everton vs Arsenal, so at least one team will be dropping points.

Bit wary going to Southampton. Think their major threats will be Puncheon and Lambert. Control those two and with our quality, we should be able to get past them. Going for a 0-2 win for us. Suarez and Suarez. 

Come on You Reds.

There's a lot more negative in this thread than there was in the Spurs thread before kick off. I think we will play solid, predicting us to win 2-0. Coutinho and Sturridge with the goals.

i dont think it's negativity at all.  more like cautiously optimistic.    None or at least not many of us are saying we will lose... just need to make sure our lads bring their A game

With Allen off for the season, I wonder now if BR will utilize that spare sub slot for sterling

Will be a tough game this. Hope we don't line up the same as the Spurs game. Get 3 bods back in the midfield again because we will struggle playing 4-4-2 I think. I'd rest young Coutinho and bring Henderson or Allen into the midfield.

i dont think it's negativity at all.  more like cautiously optimistic.    None or at least not many of us are saying we will lose... just need to make sure our lads bring their A game

With Allen off for the season, I wonder now if BR will utilize that spare sub slot for sterling

Cautious optimism? That certainly isn't what it is called when you fear you may get beat. May need to re-look at that one.

Dont let your eyes off the end game boys. Last week was worthless unless you get a result tomorrow...

Crush and burn.

Cautious optimism? That certainly isn't what it is called when you fear you may get beat. May need to re-look at that one.

what are you talking about?  reread my first post of this thread... i believe we will win...just need to make sure the lads play with that hunger and desire

i think alot of us.. myself especially dont want to flat out say we'll destroy them and have that come bite us in the rear end.   cautiously optimistic is right for me.

Dont let your eyes off the end game boys. Last week was worthless unless you get a result tomorrow...

Crush and burn.

This.

Come on boys, just a simple win will do.

1-0, 2-1, whatever just win and we are in business. Back on the European trail. 

 

0-3 for me with Suarez getting a brace and some Samba magic

I say 0-3 for us and I would love to see Lucas on the score sheet today he needs a boost before the end of the season. So may be a spectacular goal of the year kind of goal will do. To tell you the truth a tap like Arsenal game will also do.

hmmm... looks like it's supposed to pour all day in Southampton.  Wonder how that will affect our approach today.

I'm up the road in Winchester and it is pissing it down!

Not keen on saying 'easy win' as no game is easy anymore...

Southampton will come out all guns blazing - but really we should have way too much for them. They will have looked at their remaining games and this is one where they expect nothing and wouldnt have planned on getting points. So this, will indeed make them dangerous - and they can play with a level of freedom. However, this is something that the top teams face week in week out and we need to deal with this. As they are looking at a religation battle they will of course be motivated, as will the home fans. We need to get a goal early on and then dominaet play for 30 mins - this will then bring the stadium and Southampton back down to earth.

I expect a win today - but a decent game... Looking at the fixtures Everton and Arsenal have tough games - I would be very suprised if both win, in fact I would expect the bitters to lose and Arsenal to draw... But to be honest, either of these are going to stop us getting 4th, its Spurs or Chelsea who should both win this weekend... Suprises happen, I hope it's caused by Fulham or West Ham - not Southampton!

what are you talking about?  reread my first post of this thread... i believe we will win...just need to make sure the lads play with that hunger and desire

i think alot of us.. myself especially dont want to flat out say we'll destroy them and have that come bite us in the rear end.   cautiously optimistic is right for me.

Look at my post again and please do tell me where I said you personally think we will lose! You will find I didn't! And to reply to our last comment, most weeks there are one or two that say we will win by a ridiculous scoreline even if it against the likes of United or Chelsea so your second point is incorrect too. Wish you would stop with this cautiously optimistic rubbish mate you make no sense when you say it . My original post was simply stating there was just a more negative feel in this thread than in previous weeks. Calm down ffs!

A Saturday 3 O clock kick off...is it me or does it seem like ages since we played a standard Saturday. Ah well, the wife goes shopping herself today, thank f**k.

I think this should be a big win, but it never seems that easy. I will settle for a boring 0 - 1.

If the players continue with the same attitude we should turn these right over ,come on you reds lets continue to build.

A big win today please and hopefully Swansea can turn Arsenal over today aswell.

The morale of the southampton playersis  at an all time low, there players are not buying into new managers agenda. This is a good time for the reds to run up another 5 goals. Come on reds 

Just slapped 500 notes on a win so come on you reds

Big game this, really hope we don't pull a typical Liverpool and lose. Especially if City take points from Everton.

Southampton haven't won in a few games and only one win under Pochettino so the cynic in me says they'll pull out a win from somewhere now. That's the kinda sh*t that happens to us.

I'm throwing caution to to the wind and going for our biggest victory of the season and more. Come on folks jump in the waters fine

Just slapped 500 notes on a win so come on you reds

Normally I wouldn't say this with such a high stake but that could be a decent bet today! I put 50 on Liverpool and City for just over 200.

Going for 3-0 myself, Luis hat-trick, let them dare NOT give Luis player of the year !

Under their current manager, Southampton are known to play a high-tempo pressing game...and throughout this season we have struggling against teams that press us high and put us under pressure when we pass around from the back. That being said, our general record against "smaller" clubs has been good this season so I'm going for a win.

Going for 3-0 myself, Luis hat-trick, let them dare NOT give Luis player of the year !

Giggs won Player of the Year a few seasons ago for scoring one league goal. They've no issues about ignoring the real contenders.

As much we'd all love Luis to win it, we all know it's not about how well you've played and all about who you play for.

No Carra apparently

I wonder who are the three that voted for a lost? Don't you have confidence on our team or we are not good enough to beat them?

Ah man this match is the type we have fudged up on all season. Been so looking forward to it but have a nasty feeling we are gonna fall from this height like we have too many times this season.

Lets smash em!

Obviously I want the result, but i want Sturridge to pick up his game since being injured. Was definately off the pace last week and hope he quickly gets back up to the level he was before being out for a few weeks.

                     Pepe
Johnson   Carra   Agger   Enrique
           Gerrard    Lucas
Downing       Suarez      Coutinho
                  Sturridge

Sounds like a few surprises

Jordan Ibe supposedly on the bench today ??

Think this will be a tight game to be honest. Gonna say 1-0 to us with Stevie G getting the goal.

Looks like Carra is out Skrtel in,Jordon Ibe is on the bench today

Locked.

Live match-thread:
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,44560.0.html