Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
- Pre-Match Thought: Pressure’s on for Liverpool today as the Reds fight to stay in the top four after Manchester City caught up yesterday. Of all the teams left to play, Southampton may just prove to be one of the most difficult so Liverpool may well be lucky to pull it one out today.
- And we’re off! Anfield faithful in fine voice today, hopefully it gets the boys properly riled up. Both teams have come play, possession being shared quickly and often.
- Liverpool with the first real chance of the match at 12 and a half minutes in, when Fraser Forster catches a lofty header.
- Two minutes later Coutinho gets a chance only to have it blocked. Liverpool are clearly getting into it now, but Southampton are filling the spaces well and could do well to keep this from running away from them.
- This feels very much like the kind of match that could end up with being nothing but a lot of running around. I’d love to be proven wrong by Liverpool, though. (Didn’t want to jinx it).
- Dusan Tadic goes down after after a couple of soft tackles, incensing Klopp enough to give us the moment of the match with him squeezing his water bottle out of pure rage. Thirty two minutes in and that’s the best we’ve gotten so far.
- Halftime: Lots of running and little else to show for it other than shots right into Fraser Forster’s arms. Southampton haven’t given Liverpool very much space to do anything either, so there might be some rightful calls for a halftime change or two to get some more movement - looking at you, Lallana and Sturridge.
- Great way to start the second half! Please give Southampton all the corners!
- Nathaniel Clyne has to be our most underappreciated player by a mile. He’s been outstanding today, oftentimes the only player getting the ball anywhere it can be utilized.
- ....I miss Hendo.
- It’s taken an hour for Southampton to finally open up, and yet Liverpool can’t find a way through, somehow. A change is desperately needed, while there’s still time to make an impact.
- Breakthrough! Liverpool are gifted a penalty after Jack Stephens puts his arm out in the box.
- WHAT. Fraser Forster blocks James Milner’s penalty shot, his first penalty not to score for Liverpool. A damn shame.
- FINALLY. A double change, as Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge both come on at 67 minutes, for Lucas Leiva and Divock Origi respectively. Just enough to hopefully put the Reds ahead.
- Despite having the only two yellow cards of the match, Southampton are taking every chance to fall on the ground they can. Might as well.
- Liverpool are getting desperate here, throwing everything they have at Southampton’s end. Something has to stick... right? Right?!
- Small comforts: Southampton has not had a single shot on target this match. So it’s more that Forster has been having the game of his life, rather than their defense keeping us from scoring.
- I don’t know who this ref is but I never want to see him at Anfield ever again.
- Final: Did we jinx it last weekend? Getting comfortable with third place? We’re one point from being overtaken again, after what should’ve been a win ending in a draw. Story of Liverpool’s season. This doesn’t bode well for next weekend.
We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.