The Sportspedia
Liverpool had the chance of starting the year atop the Premier League standings but they were unable to do so thanks to a Southampton that handcuffed their attempts and that managed to earn a home win with an early goal.
The early goal was scored by Daniel Ings (ENG), who received it in the box and just touched it for the ball to go above Allison (BRA), and onto the net, just in the second minute of play.
Some Liverpool players demanded a penalti after a hand-ball by defender Jack Stephens (ENG) but the VAR was revised and even though the ball bounced with the arm and the defender moved the arm, he probably did not consider that it was not a deliberate attempt to clash against the ball.
The African duo of Salah (EGY) and Mané (SEN) repeatedly tried to be dangerous but Southampton was well aligned at the back with a clear line of four defenders in the box and three right outside,.
Southampton even had a total of eight players in the box when risk was adverted. Very good tactical play throughout, including when the ball was stopped. Great part of the second half all Southampton players were in their side of the pitch.
At 84′ Allison had left his position and Southampton almost scored a second, but the ball was saved almost on the line by Henderson (ENG).
The score would remain 1-0 and Southampton are sixth while Liverpool still sit second in the Premier League standings, behind Manchester United.
Lineups:
44 F. Forster (ENG)
3 R. Bertrand (ENG)
5 J. Stephens (ENG)
35 J. Bednarek (POL)
2 K. Walker-Peters (ENG)
17 S. Armstrong (SCO)
8 J. Ward-Prowse (ENG)
27 I. Diallo (FRA)
12 M. Djenepo (MLI) Substituted by Tella (ENG)
32 T. Walcott (ENG) Substituted by Valery (FRA)
9 D. Ings (ENG) Substituted by Nlundulu (ENG)
Coach: R. Hasenhüttl
1 Alisson (BRA)
26 A. Robertson (SCO)
66 T. Alexander-Arnold (ENG) Substituted by Milner (ENG)
5 G. Wijnaldum (NED)
14 J. Henderson (ENG)
6 Thiago Alcântara (ESP)
15 A. Oxlade-Chamberlain (ENG) Substituted by Shaqiri (SUI)
3 Fabinho (BRA)
9 Roberto Firmino (BRA)
11 Mohamed Salah (EGY)
10 S. Mané (SEN)
Coach: J. Klopp
