Pre-Match: Southampton v Liverpool EPL (Mon 4th Jan 2021 8:00pm)

I think he'll play Rhys Williams alongside Fab. Saints like to press as we know but Williams is solid technically and has proven to be comfortable on the ball. I hope Thiago starts in midfield with Henderson and Gini. If they do press us in midfield he is so comfortable in tight space and can take the ball on the half-turn and release Salah or Mane. Similarly Gini is very good with bodies around him, he has quick feet and he is nimble.

Really interested to see if they get after us or whether they sit and pick their moments to press, i think the latter is more likely BUT Saints evidently have pressed the ball more than any other epl team this year.

It's usually a touch game at St Marys but i can see a 2-1 win, Salah and Mane with the goals.

Avoid crosses for the sake of crossing so

Exactly, the stand in keeper is very tall and commanding in the air.

If we do cross the ball, we should do either (putting on my FM tactics hat):

Cut backs to the penalty box
Low crosses

Our usual high crosses will not be effective.

Really interested to see if they get after us or whether they sit and pick their moments to press, i think the latter is more likely

We are too good to get pressed. Therefore even Pep plays it safely against us. Hasenhüttl would go all-in if he really presses us. I think the blueprint is out against us: play like WBA and counter. That worked so far, but now we have Thiago.  Either way we are heavy favourites. Only bad luck like vs. Newcastle could prevent us 3 points.

Honestly I’ll be so sad if we don’t get a win - this can make or break my year 🤪

Looking forward to the game, hope we go for it someone needs a walloping