First Thoughts: Southampton 0, Liverpool 0

Southampton 0 Liverpool 0

• PRE-MATCH: Coutinho and Firmino both start despite their short turn around after playing for Brazil. Whatever Coutinho was in the hospital for clearly was just precautionary. Adam Lallana, on the other hand, sits this one out. We’ll see Wijnaldum jump back into the first team, as well as Lovren retake his place in the back line from Lucas. It’s nice when we’re missing one of our in-form players, but we have enough quality to cover for it. We’ll see what happens in the match.
• Liverpool ramping up the pressure in the first time minutes, as is their want this season. They’ve had the majority of the possession here, giving the Southampton fans plenty of opportunities to boo their former players.
• 20 minutes in, and Southampton are so far keeping up with Liverpool. Neither team has had any real chances here, but Southampton are trying to test Liverpool’s back line.
• Liverpool’s first shot on goal comes from Mané in the 27th minute. It’s a long-range cracker after some good pressing work from Firmino, saved well by Forster.
• Liverpool are off the pace. Whether it’s fatigue from the international break, lack of Adam Lallana or what, they don’t look like the same Reds we’ve grown accustomed to for the last few weeks.
• HALFTIME: Something needs to change in the second half. Klopp hugs needs to happen in the locker room. And then hopefully we get Daniel Sturridge on the pitch sooner rather than later.
• Liverpool start the second half strong, with several good opportunities in the first five minutes. Meanwhile, Sturridge begins warming up on the side lines.
• Firmino misses a golden opportunity at 65’. If those aren’t falling for us today, it might not be our day. Still a quarter of the game to play, and it’s been all Liverpool here, but it’s starting to feel familiar as a Liverpool fan.
• It takes until the 77th minute for Sturridge to come on for Can, which is pretty surprising considering what must be some tired legs on the pitch. The rain seems to really be coming down now.
• Liverpool now trying to desperately force something that had come easily the last few weeks. Lots of long range efforts going no where.
• FINAL THOUGHT: I guess if Liverpool are going to only get two clean sheets, I’d prefer them in games when they also don’t score.

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.