Liverpool take on Southampton on Saturday at Anfield with a primary objective of retaining their place at the top of the Premier League table after Chelsea jumped ahead on goal difference last week.

The Reds come into the game in electric form, with 5 wins out of 5 in the Premier League and an impressive display against PSG in midweek which saw the game end 3-2 in Liverpool’s favour.

However, this time Jurgen Klopp’s side face a different test against a team that likes to sit back and wait for chances to come to them. Over the past years, Liverpool struggled against such teams; they have failed to score in 4 of their last 6 meetings with Southampton. The most recent two games against them, though, both ended with a Liverpool win, a sign that these problems have faded.

These are the games that Liverpool need to win to prove that they are genuine title contenders; games in which squad depth, creativity and patience will be tested.

1. Our opponents:

Southampton haven’t been in good form themselves, winning only one of their first 5 games in the league and scoring 6 goals.

Danny Ings will not be allowed to feature for the Saints as he is on loan from Liverpool, and other than that Southampton have no injury concerns whatsoever.

2. Team news:

Liverpool have been handed multiple injury boosts as Croatian defender Dejan Lovren has returned to full training and is likely to be in contention very soon. Adam Lallana, however, is not available for selection with a groin injury.

In addition, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is showing slow but steady recovery and is now able to pass a ball again after being out for many months due to a knee injury.

Jurgen Klopp also confirmed that Roberto Firmino is fit to start on Saturday after he came off the bench in the second half against PSG a few days ago to score the winner. Rhian Brewster remains a long-term absentee.

3. Predicted lineup:



4. What the boss had to say:

On Firmino:

Yes, he’s ready.

On Firmino and Sturridge playing together:

The impact Daniel had [against PSG] was only positive. Intense game, it was all good, fantastic game. Could they play together? Yes, of course. Sturridge had minutes before that and trained well and had the rhythm and did well.

On Salah:

Of course everybody expects [same as last year]. We don’t. What did he get [in first six] last season? Three. And two in six this season? Wow, that’s a crisis! He needed time last year, like we all needed time. And he will take time this season as well.

On the atmosphere:

If we could create the best atmosphere that would be cool. When people spoke to me about the next seven games a few weeks ago, nobody mentioned Southampton. I had to keep reminding them. Being focused on the next game, that’s the job to do.

On Danny Ings:

Everybody at Melwood loves Danny Ings. It’s good that he can’t play (against us) because he’s always a threat. We follow his games really closely. He’s still one of our boys.

On midweek games:

It’s always difficult when one team plays during the week and one team doesn’t. Southampton played on Monday night, so at least it was only one game before us. Tuesday-Saturday shouldn’t be a problem.

On Milner:

It’s not just this season, last year he had most assists in Champions League. Only in football it sounds like 32 was a massive age. In all other parts of life you are still young, and he is still young. He is a top professional and his body gives him a chance to do so. James is the best example for them [the squad]. He is a very energetic boy and likes to cover big distances. He can play football, and that makes him a pretty valuable player.

Full press conference:

5. Opta match facts:

Southampton have won just three of their 19 Premier League visits to Anfield (W3 D6 L10), their last victory coming in September 2013.

Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four Premier League games against Southampton – the Reds’ longest current run in the competition.

Liverpool are looking to start to top-flight campaign with six consecutive wins for the third time in their history, after 1978-79 (finished 1st) and 1990-91 (finished 2nd).

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 23 Premier League games at Anfield (W15 D8), their best run in the competition since August 2009 (31 games).

Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in each of their last seven Premier League home games; only twice have they had a better run in the competition (9 in February 2007 and 8 in January 2006).

Liverpool’s Sadio Mané has scored 48 Premier League goals and could become the seventh African player to reach 50 in the competition (Efan Ekoku, Yakubu, Kanu, Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yaya Touré).

Mohamed Salah was directly involved in four of Liverpool’s five Premier League goals against Southampton last season, netting twice at Anfield and both scoring and assisting at St Mary’s.

This will be Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s 600th league game in charge in his career – his current record is P599 W295 D158 L146.

6 Training gallery:

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