As Liverpool faces Southampton this weekend, all eyes would be on the St. Mary Stadium as the south coast club welcome the European Champions Liverpool at home. It’s going to be something special in the EPL this weekend as fans around the world aglow with passion and expectations following Liverpool recent success in Europe.
Beating Chelsea 5-4 on Penalties in the Super Cup ahead of this game was a great way to prepare for Liverpool as they embrace a tough test against the confident Southampton side in front of their home fans.
The Liverpool side will have played three matches in just a week and a day following their penalty shootout win over Chelsea in the Super Cup on Wednesday. They faced Norwich City last Friday in the opening game of the Premier League as some players would be needing rest ahead in the season.
Klopp’s biggest selection issues would be concerning winger Sadio Mane as the player scored twice in the game midweek vs. Chelsea. With the African’s performance against Chelsea, he should and will be expected to line up against his former Southampton side on the left of a three-man attack. This may well see Divock Origi dropping to the bench as Mane showed his class against Chelsea. The Liverpool manager may consider resting forward Roberto Firinino as the rigor of the new season concedes with his involvement in the COPA America for Brazil.
However, he may get the nod ahead of Origi in the central role as Klopp would aim to maintain his partnership with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah with the sole aim for the three points away from home. The Reds manager may also make changes in midfield as Adam Lallana is another player expected to start in Liverpool starting XI with Naby Keita out of the Saints’ visit due to injury. Skipper Henderson may probably make way for Georginio Wijnaldum in the starting eleven as the Dutch midfielder who came on a substitute in the midweek game against Chelsea will partner Adam Lallana in midfield. Fabinho is certainly up for a place in Liverpool line-up.
The back four practically remains unchanged as Andrew Robertson features at left-back, Trend Alexander-Arnold slots in at right-back with Virgil Van Dijk and Joseph Gomez deployed at the heart of the Liverpool defense. Adrian is likely to continue between the sticks due to Allison obvious absence due to injury. But the former West Ham man may be a doubt for the match with an ankle strain even as we look forward to the match hoping that things could change in the next few moments.
Klopp insists he believes in the former West ham shot-stopper to deputize for the injured Allison after he saved from Tammy Abraham penalty in the midweek. The 52-year-old German boss said, “He put in an incredible performance both goalkeepers did but for Adrian, it was more surprising as there was more all preparation. I don’t think he won a lot in his life so to win this big one is so nice for him. Plus he showed that he is a proper personality in the dressing room. He was even louder than I was at half time.”
Probable Liverpool Starting Eleven-
Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Lallana; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
