MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 09:19:53| >> :60:783:783:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Premier League
Sep 21, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Southampton logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Lovren (53')

Match Analysis: Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes that resulted in a 1-0 victory for Southampton over Liverpool at Anfield.

Southampton managed to call an end to Liverpool's unbeaten run in the Premier League this season by causing an upset at Anfield.

A Dejan Lovren header was enough to clinch all three points for the visitors as the Reds struggled to find any fluency in a game that they were tipped to win.

Southampton's game plan worked perfectly for manager Mauricio Pochettino, while Reds boss Brendan Rodgers failed to find any answers from his players and get back into the game.

Below, Sports Mole has looked back over the 90 minutes that unfolded in the league encounter.

Match statistics:

Liverpool:
Shots 10
On target 5
Possession 56%
Corners 6
Fouls 6

Southampton:
Shots 12
On target 7
Possession 44%
Corners 6
Fouls 9

Was the result fair?

In short, yes. Southampton's approach to the game in the first half prevented Liverpool from causing any real damage, and they were also able to soak up pressure when the Reds were on the attack in the second half, while still causing problems on the break. For Liverpool, they were unable to create any realistic chances on goal and ran out of ideas as the match progressed.

Liverpool's performance

In four of the Reds' previous games, Rodgers's side have been on the front foot and nabbed a goal, allowing themselves to sit back in the second half and hold onto their lead for the win. Today, the Merseyside outfit struggled to find any real fluency, and this was largely down to the fact that they had four centre-backs in defence - Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure. Even when Jose Enrique was brought on in the second half, Liverpool continued to make sloppy passes.

Southampton's performance

The Saints were disciplined and organised from the start, but also had an attacking flare going forward, which Liverpool's backline struggled to handle at times. If it wasn't for some poor final efforts, you could argue that Southampton should have won by more. They were under pressure at times in the second half following Lovren's goal, but they still posed a threat down the other end of the field.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Adam Lallana: Despite being substituted around 20 minutes before the end of the match, Lallana showed a real captain's performance for Southampton in the first half. He created chances and managed to give Liverpool some trouble with some impressive link-up play with his teammates.

Biggest gaffe

This would have to go to Rickie Lambert. He may have finished the match on the winning side, but he could have given them a nice one-goal cushion in the first half. The ball kindly fell to the striker just a few feet away from goal, but his left-footed volley was easily collected by Simon Mignolet.

Referee performance

Neil Swarbrick issued only one yellow card during the match, but his performance will largely be remembered - by Liverpool fans at least - for failing to award the home side a penalty. Daniel Sturridge was at the end of a clumsy challenge from Lovren, who stuck his foot out as the striker drove into the box. Replays showed that there was contact, but the match official waved it away.

What next?

Liverpool: The Reds have a League Cup third-round tie against arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, but they return to Premier League commitments on Sunday with a visit to Sunderland.

Southampton: The Saints take on Bristol City in the League Cup before welcoming Crystal Palace to St Mary's Stadium in the Premier League next Saturday.

ID:106174: cacheID:106174:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6299:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Southampton defender Dejan Lovren celebrates his goal against Liverpool on September 21, 2013
Read Next:
Southampton end Liverpool's unbeaten run
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!