SOUTHAMPTON VS LIVERPOOL: PREVIEW

Liverpool travel to Southampton on Sunday (15:30 GMT) as they wrap up a disappointing season. It’s the final weekend of the Premier League season, with the Reds guaranteed to finish in fifth place no matter what. Here’s the match preview.

It’s been a dog of a campaign. There have been incredible highs let’s not forget, but ultimately it hasn’t been good enough. The Community Shield win all the way back in July was thrilling, as were the momentous victories over the likes of Bournemouth (9-0), Rangers (1-7), Manchester United (7-0) and Leeds United (1-6).

Those were countered by gut wrenching lows that were too regular an occurrence. There was the embarrassing 4-1 defeat in Naples, the pitiful surrenders at Forest, Brentford, Brighton, Wolves and Bournemouth, not to mention heavy defeats to Real Madrid (5-2) and Manchester City (4-1).

For a side that was just two results away from sealing an unprecedented quadruple last season, it’s been a shocking fall from grace. Several key players endured alarming dips in form, with the entire midfield department sorely lacking for large parts of the campaign.

A change in system a month ago has seen a drastic improvement in performances and results, with the side staying unbeaten in the last ten fixtures (winning seven of them). A rebuild is still afoot however, with the Kop saying goodbye to Firmino, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita last week.

That all four have been allowed to leave on a free when they cost the club close to a combined £120million in transfer fees is curious when you take into consideration the fact that owners FSG have only ever spent funds the club itself generates.

The club will have to replace all four whilst making improvements elsewhere in the squad. It is a crucial summer transfer window and it cannot be underestimated how much of the club’s short to medium term future is riding on getting it right in terms of incomings.

The game on Sunday is nothing more than a dead-rubber, with the manager already hinting at making a couple of changes to his side. How many of those who line up against Southampton will we see in red next season?

Opponents Southampton have themselves endured a nightmare campaign which has culminated in relegation to the Championship for the first time in 18 years. The Saints have nothing to play for in that regard, compounding the dead-rubber feel to this fixture.

Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture back in November, with Darwin Nunez netting a brace. That was the last fixture before the World Cup break so it is fitting that this fixture is the final one before the summer break.

The Saints are winless in their last 12 league games, losing nine and drawing three times. Their three draws curiously came against Manchester United (0-0), and in two six goal thrillers against North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.

In seven Premier League trips to the St. Mary’s Stadium under Jürgen Klopp, the Reds have registered four wins and a draw. They have tasted two defeats; 1-0 in 2021 courtesy a Danny Ings strike and 3-2 back in 2016 when Sadio Mané came off the bench to net twice for the Saints.

Team News

Jurgen Klopp on injuries:

“Darwin [Nunez] trained, Ibou [Konaté] is ill. Robertson felt something in his groin and will be assessed. The rest should be alright.”

Ruben Selles, in what is his final game in charge of Southampton, will be unable to call upon four members of his squad. Romain Perraud (ankle), Che Adams (calf), Armel Bella-Kotchap (hamstring) and Mohammed Salisu (groin) have all been ruled out.