So after Thursday night’s sobering 1-1 draw with Rubin Kazan in the Europa League, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Southampton at Anfield on Sunday at 4:15 pm.
Fresh in the minds will be the amount of frenetic wasted opportunities against Kazan and the hope that many of the opportunities available on Thursday will be converted into goals on Sunday.
It was like different Manager, same result against the Russians, who played very much on the defensive once they went a goal up and had their Captain sent-off early on.
The fact that Liverpool dominated the game from that moment on is a positive thing.
The substitution of Joe Allen at half-time is also a positive as he is incapable of dominating a midfield, no matter who the opposition.
Southampton lie in 8th place in the Premier League with 13 points, the same as Liverpool in 10th so a win at Anfield would see us rise up the table at this early stage.
Goals:
Goals, or the lack off, have been a major problem for Liverpool sides for quite some time now.
Injuries to Sturridge, Benteke and young Danny Ings have made things very difficult for new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, but he hasn’t complained.
He has played Divok Origi upfront against Spurs and Rubin Kazan and the young Belgian has set up Emre Can for Liverpool’s equaliser against the Russian side on Thursday.
However, the introduction of a less than fully fit Christian Benteke was a welcome addition to the attack as the big man was unlucky not to score on two occasions, hitting the post with one shot then ballooning over the bar with another, promising signs though.
Ronald Koeman and Graziano Pelle will have their sights sets on a victory over Liverpool this Sunday.
They are a well-organised team, composed and compact, with a goal-threat in them.
Liverpool will have to be at their very best to win against them.
Lets hope for a 2-1 victory for Klopp’s new team.