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Liverpool vs Southampton – Match Preview

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is confident he will be fit despite suffering a dead leg against Watford.

Adam Lallana replaced the Brazilian in that game on his return from a month’s lay-off and could be in line to start.

Southampton’s leading scorer Charlie Austin might be involved for the first time since dislocating his shoulder on 8 December.

He is among several players expected to step up their comebacks by playing for the under-23 side on Friday night.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • Liverpool are yet to score against Southampton in three games this season, drawing 0-0 in the Premier League in November and losing 1-0 in both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final.
  • The Reds have also failed to beat Southampton in all three league meetings since Jurgen Klopp became their manager (D2, L1).
  • However, Southampton’s only Premier League win in their last five visits to Anfield came in September 2013 courtesy of a goal from Dejan Lovren, now at Liverpool (D1, L3).

Liverpool

  • They have earned 20 points from their last nine matches (W6, D2, L1), second only to Tottenham over the same period.
  • Nonetheless, they are in danger of recording successive league defeats at Anfield for the first time since September 2012.
  • Jurgen Klopp has an identical record to predecessor Brendan Rodgers after 65 league games in charge of Liverpool: W33, D18, L14.
  • There have been a league-high 208 goals scored in those 65 matches under the German, an average of 3.2 per game.
  • Liverpool have scored 16 Premier League goals in the 15 minutes before half-time this season, more than any other side.
  • Klopp could, for the first time, name the same Liverpool starting XI for a fourth successive Premier League game.

Southampton

  • Claude Puel’s side have only taken two points from nine games this season against sides in the top six prior to the weekend fixtures (D2, L7).
  • Saints have won three of their last five Premier League away games, following a run of only two victories in 12.
  • Seven of Southampton’s 11 Premier League wins in 2016-17 have come on a Sunday.
  • They must win their remaining five matches to avoid finishing the season with their lowest points tally in four years.
  • Manolo Gabbiadini scored four goals in his first three Premier League appearances but has subsequently failed to score in four games, managing just one shot on target.
  • Claude Puel is unbeaten in all five competitive matches as a manager against Liverpool (W3, D2).

With thanks to the BBC Sport website – Yes I still have man flu

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