Liverpool play hosts to Southampton on Saturday at Anfield with Jurgen Klopp’s men hoping to maintain their recent winning ways.
The Reds saw off FC Porto in the midweek home outing with goals from Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah securing the win in what was the penultimate Champions League group stage game.
A two-game winless run in league action was broken last time around when Arsenal made the travels to the Merseyside and face a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of an inspired Liverpool side who found their feat following misfiring displays against Brighton and West Ham United.
Klopp’s men were at their very best against The Gunners who despite the heroics of shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks were unable to survive the onslaught of the Liverpool forward lineup.
The Liverpool boss chose to rest his defensive star names in Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold for Wednesday night’s Porto clash and the duo will be in line for a return to the starting team sheet come Saturday.
With the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah firing on all cylinders in the final third ahead of their imminent departure from the Liverpool camp for the forthcoming AFCON at the turn of the year, Klopp will be counting on his attacking pairing to deliver solid returns in front of the goal.
Southampton were defeated 2-1 by the Premier League’s new boys Norwich City last time around and the Saints head into the upcoming contest with morale on the down which would be something Liverpool are backed to take advantage of as they chase Chelsea at the summit.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: 27 November 2021
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Roberto Firmino, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez are all in line to miss the weekend affair at Anfield with long-term injuries set to sideline them.
Diogo Jota had proven to be a concern on the injury front for Liverpool following the win over Arsenal but the forward shook that off to feature on the bench earlier this week against Porto.
The likes of Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson are tipped for a return to their starting roles after cameos off the bench in recent games owing to their injury niggles.
KEY BATTLE
Thiago Alcantara vs James Ward-Prowse
🎶 Thiago, Thiago Alcantara 🎶
Love it, @Thiago6 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iNXjxBvV7g
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 25, 2021
Both teams have their midfield maestros in flying form but it is Thiago Alcantara who will be hoping to carry on his rich vein of form after finding the back of the net in the Porto win with a thunder of a strike.
Ward-Prowse has been immense in his displays for Southampton in the middle of the pitch and should the Saints hope to pull off a major upset at Anfield, the midfield man will be key to their fortunes.
MATCH PREDICTION
The home side look comfortably poised to claim the three points from the forthcoming Anfield showdown with Jordan Henderson and Co. in top form on all fronts.
Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
