Liverpool v Southampton predictions: Reds can hand Saints a beating

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, 8.15pm Saturday

Best bet

Liverpool -1 goal on handicap
2pts 81-100 Sporting Index

Team news

Liverpool
Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns. Jordan Henderson is still sidelined.

Southampton
Danny Ings, Ryan Bertand, Takumi Minamino and Oriol Romeu are all unavailable but Michael Obafemi is fit. Jannik Vestergaard is free to play after his red card was rescinded.

Match preview

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hang in the balance and a big performance is needed against Southampton to set them up for a last push for Europe.

Eight Premier League defeats since the start of the year, coupled with one home win in ten matches, left the reigning champions seven points adrift of fourth place entering the weekend.

But a wide-margin victory could be coming as Jurgen Klopp’s side have created chances aplenty recently, conjuring 36 opportunities in their last three matches but scoring only twice.

Only Mohamed Salah has looked sharp in front of goal, scoring five in his last eight outings, and he has a good record against Southampton.

Klopp pledged that the rest of his team had been working on their finishing before their postponed encounter against Manchester United as only the pitch-invading supporters netted at Old Trafford last weekend.

Southampton know all about being overrun at Old Trafford after losing 9-0 to United in February. That defeat is one of eight losses the Saints have suffered in their last nine league away games as a promising season has disintegrated.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men were in contention for Europe when beating Liverpool 1-0 in January’s reverse fixture but they are now searching for three points that will guarantee their Premier League safety.

Those points are unlikely to come at a ground where they have won only four times in 43 league visits, while without the injured Danny Ings, it’s doubtful that the Saints’ four-game goalless streak at Anfield will end.

Key stat

Liverpool have covered a -1 handicap in five of their last seven meetings with Southampton.

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