Liverpool 4 - 0 Southampton

Liverpool: Oxlade-Chamberlain 47’, Henderson 60’, Salah 72’, 90’

Pre-Match

As expected, Fabinho returns to the starting XI alongside Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum to form what seems to be Klopp’s preferred midfield trio. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was so impressive midweek takes the place of the injured Sadio Mane.

First Half

It’s clear from the offing that this match won’t be as easy as the last time the two teams met. They’ve created a few good chances in the first 20 minutes here. Liverpool have needed Virgil van Dijk’s quick feet to stop Danny Ings from getting in.

Fabinho looks lively so far, a reminder to Liverpool fans of how much his presence has been missed. 25 minutes in, he and Wijnaldum combine in the box, and Gini’s shot is saved. Southampton counter, and on the other end of the pitch, Moussa Djenepo’s shot is blocked by Alisson for a corner that fizzles out to nothing.

This game has picked up as the half ticked on. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ambitious shot is nearly deflected into the top corner of the goal. Somehow, moments later, it’s Virgil van Dijk on the end of a fast break. His sweet back heel is saved and leads to a scramble in front of the goal. Somehow, it seems like every Liverpool player gets a shot off, but none of them go in. Roberto Firmino gets pulled down in front of the goal, but VAR deems it not a penalty and somehow this game is still scoreless.

Southampton engineer a string of corners which thankfully come to nothing, but Liverpool are playing with fire here. It’s all Southampton as the first half winds down, though so far Liverpool have been up to the task of defending against the onslaught. As if on cue, as soon as your intrepid recapper wrote that, Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the ball away in his own half and Alisson was forced into another save against Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s quick shot.

The half ends goalless, but with Southampton getting the better chances. Liverpool look like they’re really feeling that midweek match. Hopefully they won’t be able to keep up this pace in the second half

Second Half

GOALLLLLL!!!!! 47’ - Oxlade-Chamberlain - Wow, Liverpool score at the start of the first half. It’s Oxlade-Chamberlain who collects the pass, takes a few touches to get control and work himself into a good position just outside the box, and then aims a perfect, low strike into the bottom corner. This team always finds a way to get the job done.

The goal came right after Southampton have a penalty shout at the other end against Ings.

Salah scores, but VAR calls half of his elbow or something offside, and so the goal won’t count.

GOALLLL!!!! 60’ - Henderson - Roberto Firmino earns his second assist of the game, this time for the captain. He storms the wing on the break and cuts back to Henderson, who takes a touch and then smacks it powerfully into the goal to see Liverpool go two goals to the good.

GOALLLL!! 72’ - Salah - Henderson turns provider 10 minutes later with a peach of a pass to Salah, who stays onside this time and gets the job down for Liverpool’s third.

Oxlade-Chamberlain gets replaced by Naby Keita and leaves the pitch to a good ovation from the Liverpool faithful.

Takumi Minamino is the next player to come on in place of Wijnaldum and very nearly gets played into goal with his first touch. The ball is just toed out of reach by Ward-Prowse.

Henderson steps off for his best friend Adam Lallana, and this game has become rote at this point.

GOALLLLL!!! 90’ - Salah - Sure, why not sneak another goal in there at the death. Firmino picks up a hat trick of assists to three different players. This time it’s old buddy Salah, who dinks it in for Liverpool’s fourth.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool do it again. Another win, another clean sheet. Is there anyone who can stop them?