The Reds are in the hard. After two draws conceded against WBA and Newcastle, Jurgen Klopp’s men lost to the Saints (1-0). Their leadership position is more threatened than ever.
Leader of the Premier League standings, tied on points with Manchester United (33 units), Liverpool had the opportunity to make up for their match counting for the 17th day against Southampton. A trip to the Saints which did not promise to be insurmountable, the 9th in the standings remaining over four consecutive matches without a win. Jürgen Klopp also aligned his fire attack (Mané, Salah, Firmino) and his ghost, Thiago Alcantara.
The Reds surprised from the start
Except that things got tough from the second minute. On a free kick from Ward-Prose, Ings surprises Alexander-Arnold behind his back and went off to crucify Alisson with a sumptuous lob (1-0, 2nd). In front of the scoreboard, the Saints did not panic the Reds so far. As if surprised to lead the score so quickly, Walcott’s partners returned the ball to the visitors too easily. But Liverpool failed to take advantage of it.
In the 19th minute, Salah lost a face-to-face with Forster (even if the Egyptian was ultimately offside) and Mané saw his attempt slip over the goals of the former Celtic (34th). Without forgetting ahead of Salah not framed on a service of Mané (45th + 3). And that’s all. Once again (after two consecutive draws against WBA and Newcastle), Klopp’s men put on an unrecognizable face.
Mane tried everything
Upon returning from the locker room, the visitors were much more enterprising (90% possession during the first ten minutes of the second act). Much more present near the surface of the Saints, Fabinho’s teammates thought they had obtained a penalty on a hand from Stephens, but the referee did not flinch (51st).
Three hot actions followed in ten minutes. Stephens, again, this time threw himself perfectly to counter Mané, while the Senegalese were in a very good position to equalize (58th). A minute later, Walker-Peters signed a very limited charge on Mané in his box. But again, no penalty (59th).
Finally, the former Messin thought to take advantage of an excellent center from Firmino to finally find the fault … It was without counting on Diallo (69th). An uninspired attack, a helpless midfielder (Thiago was ghostly) and an absent goalkeeper (Alisson got a hole in front of Valery, before being saved by Henderson in the 84th minute)
Liverpool missed everything tonight. The third game in a row without a win which now allows MU to seize the top spot on its own in the event of a victory against Burnley on January 9, before the shock against Liverpool on the 17th. For its part, Southampton achieves a very good operation by coming back to sixth place, tied on points with Manchester City (2 games less) and Tottenham (1 game less).
Credit: www.footmercato.net
