Southampton FC 1-6 Liverpool FC – Post-match opinion
Liverpool booked their place in the Capital One Cup semi-final last night with an emphatic dismantling of Southampton at Saint Mary’s stadium. After falling behind to a Sadio Mane goal in the first minute, two goals from Daniel Sturridge and a further from Divoc Origi put the visitors in the driving seat at the end of the first period.
Jürgen Klopp made a number of changes to the team that defeated Swansea at the weekend, bringing in youngster Connor Randall at right back for Nathaniel Clyne who was rested against his old team. Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno were retained. In midfield Emre Can, and Lucas Leiva were joined by Joe Allen in place of James Milner to form a trio ahead of the defence. In attack, Adam Lallana, Divock Origi and at last a start for Daniel Sturridge.
Liverpool got off to the worst possible start with a confident home side looking to assert themselves on their visitors early on. Mane getting the better of Moreno to latch on to Ryan Bertrand’s cross to nod home an early goal past the helpless Ádám Bogdan and into the visiting goal for an early goal.
As we’ve come to know from this Liverpool side under Klopp, conceding a goal does not mean the game is over and should be, in no way any reason to loose heart. Southampton though had other idea and continues to ask questions of the visiting defence as Wayne Wanyama also went close sensing the inexperience of Randall on the LFC right being their best chance of attacking success.
After 20 minutes however, Liverpool found their mojo and began to pose difficult questions of their own. Origi and Allen combining on the Liverpool right, the latter pushing a first-time floated ball into the path of Sturridge who after a poor first touch twisted past Steven Caulker to slide the ball home across Maarten Stekelenburg. Less than five minutes later, the visitors took the lead.
An absolutely superb chopped control and a deftly lofted pass from Can with the outside of his right boot caught the Southampton defence all at sea, and into the path of Sturridge. His shot creeping beneath the diving Stekelenburg, 2-1. The visitors, ahead. On the stroke of half time, a John Arne Riise-esque left foot drive from Moreno was turned in by Origi to make it 3-1. The Saints sunk, with a mountain to climb against a resurgent Reds side who had firmly stamped their undoubted authority on this game to go into the break in complete control.
On 68 minutes the avalanche resumed. Jordan Ibe on for Daniel Sturridge a few minutes earlier, the architect. The youngster who had been the subject of intense social media debate during the day, confirming exactly why some feel the 19 year-old is more than making up for the departure of Raheem Sterling. His cut inside from the right and through ball to Origi was met with a thunderous rising effort into the roof of the Southampton net. 4-1. The goals continued.
Five minutes later, Ibe turned from provider to scorer, converting Moreno’s cross with a stunning drive past the bewildered home defence. 5-1 and just as Henderson was preparing to come on in place of the impressive Allen. The Saints, dejected, beaten and trounced were finally put to the sword after 76 minutes with young Origi nodding in young Brad Smith’s pin point left wing cross from close range. 6-1 and all over Austin Rover.
After a promising start from the hosts, they were well and truly outclassed, outfought, out played and out everything elsed by an unstoppable Liverpool side. To be fair to the visitors, they showed great resilience and fight to get back into the game after that initial 15 minutes when Southampton looked to take the game to their guests – lofty long passes to Graziano Pellè, directed toward young full back Randall hoping to take advantage of his inexperience. However, what they didn’t bank on was the said guests, taking the game thankfully and giving them a walloping in return.
The squad looks in much better shape now than it did a month ago. With Klopp able to have the quality of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Milner and Henderson on the bench and still come out 1-6 winners is a testament to the riches available. The manager’s claim that reinforcements aren’t vital for the team is beginning to bear fruit. There is indeed depth right now. In my opinion, I don’t believe there are any additions required either. Some would say back up for Clyne and Moreno are a must but are they?
Last night young Messrs. Randall and Smith played right and left back respectively. Granted, they are not the finished article by any means by how will they ever become the finished article without experience like they got last night.
Another mention has to go to Joe Allen. He is much maligned by the Liverpool faithful but it cannot go unrecognised the part he played in the fight-back witnessed last night. He had an assist in Sturridge’s first goal and was firmly in the build up for at least three of the others. I believe Klopp sees some value in the Welshman. One would argue not as much as in Can, Lucas, Henderson or Milner but the fact is, in his last two games he has been highly influential and reliable in his work. Yes, a true squad player.
Next stop, St. James’ Park to face a Newcastle side struggling for goals, form and everything else. An opposition not to be underestimated and should Liverpool pay Sunday’s opponents due respect, then we can look forward to another performance of note. Perhaps not as substantial as last night’s but worthy nonetheless.
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