Liverpool vs Southampton Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups & Predicted Score

Liverpool welcome Southampton to Anfield on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds head into the game sitting a single point clear of second placed Arsenal after a 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Monday night so Brendan Rodgers knows victory will ensure his side remain top this weekend irrespective of how other results go.

Liverpool may have lost their 100% record at the Liberty Stadium but they remain the only unbeaten side in the division and with Luis Suarez due to return from his 10-game ban next week, things are looking positive on Merseyside.

Striker Daniel Sturridge is in red-hot form and became the first player in Liverpool’s history to score in the team’s opening four games of the season with another strike against the Swans, so he’ll be the one to watch tomorrow.

Southampton arrive at Anfield off the back of an inconsistent run that seen them win one, draw two and lose one of their opening four games this season, so manager Mauricio Pochettino will be looking for a positive result this weekend.

Key to that will be finding the back of the net with the South Coast club yet to find the target from open play this campaign.

Team News

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Daniel Agger ahead of the game after the defender missed Monday’s clash due to a freak gym injury that was linked to him over stretching. The defender is back in training but Mamadou Sahko is on standby to fill in once again should the Dane be ruled out.

The big blow for Brendan Rodgers this week was the news that Philippe Coutinho would be out for up to six weeks after injuring his shoulder last time out. The Brazilian could be replaced by Iago Aspas, although Raheem Sterling is also in contention.

Kolo Toure could be in line for a recall at right back in place of Andre Wisdom with Glen Johnson still on the sidelines with an ankle problem, while Luis Alberto is pushing for a start after scoring a hat-trick in midweek for the Under-21’s. Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen remain on the sidelines.

Southampton have been boosted with the news that highly-rated left-back Luke Shaw is fit to start despite being forced off against West Ham last time out.

Danny Fox is likely to miss the trip with an ankle problem and he’ll join Tadanari Lee on the sidelines.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton: The Reds fine run will continue but not without a fight against a tricky Saints outfit.

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