Topic: Southampton vs Liverpool, Saturday 19th November, 3pm

[lastbaron]

It's not as though he's set the world alight either. He's been alright but not exactly anything special.

Agree, but he is their main source of danger.

Sent from mTalk

[Pelé as a Comedian]

still living off the Watford game, my first time at Anfield, so its a perfect time for internationals for me,
i'll be on cloud nine till the whistle is blown at st. marys.

[KopThat]

It will be just like a home game for Mané, Lallana, Lovren and Clyne

I think we will win 3 - 1

[Redman0151]

Southampton have been really strong since a slowish start. People shouldn't look too much into their last result, they had a tough Europa League game midweek, and dominated 85 minutes of the game yet somehow lost 2-1.

Taking emotion out of it, 1 point here wouldn't be bad, and certainly wouldn't spell the end of the world for us. But a win would be big here and give us some breathing space or an extra life if we mess up elsewhere.

[Caligula?]

Southampton have been really strong since a slowish start. People shouldn't look too much into their last result, they had a tough Europa League game midweek, and dominated 85 minutes of the game yet somehow lost 2-1.

Taking emotion out of it, 1 point here wouldn't be bad, and certainly wouldn't spell the end of the world for us. But a win would be big here and give us some breathing space or an extra life if we mess up elsewhere.

Don't forget they were completely outclassed by Chelsea as well. They're not the Southampton from last season, that much is clear.

[Number 7]

Nice OP Alonso mate. Thanks!

[Le_Mot_Juste]

This one's going to be tricky. Think we'll only manage to put 5 past them.

[Upinsmoke]

Really tough game this. Despite the loss against Hull they've looked good and don't tend to concede many.

[Felch Aid]

Think this will be tough as the Saints have got their act together and the utterly shit international break.

A draw isnt a bad result but as said above I think we might be rusty like the utd game.

Hoping for a 2 -0.

[Zoomers]

This one's going to be tricky. Think we'll only manage to put 5 past them.

[Zoomers]

They have a solid defence and keeper but their midfield is meh and so is their strikers/wingers.

I'm going for 2-0.

[Anfield Kopite]

Struggling on phone to copy text sorry

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-11-08/saints-stars-set-for-november-international-fixtures

Good work. Thanks.

[Redcap]

Our last really tough game for the rest of the year, on paper. Win this and we're on a good run to keep winning and open up a lead by the time we reach 2017.

[Roarin-red]

Where is that, mate?

Just google "the saints" and it'll be one of the first to come up.

[xbugawugax]

still living off the Watford game, my first time at Anfield, so its a perfect time for internationals for me,
i'll be on cloud nine till the whistle is blown at st. marys.

not such a bad time is it. Top of the table after a 5 goal win.

whatever it is. The next game is still needs to be won. 

I thought we started slow vs watford but as the game progressed got more clinical.

Lets hope it is the same vs saints. they look a well drilled side and in van dijk one of the most underrated defenders in the league.

An away game so Saints are expected to attack which actually gives us more of an advantage. Redmond and Austin are both downgrade of Mane and Pelle.(Watch them torment us with their MOTM performances after i say this as usual)

Lets hope we have a clean bill of health after the internationals.

[Koprich]

With Sanchez injured and Ibra suspended, the Manc Arsenal game could easily end up being a boring 0-0 affair. The week after at least one of Spurs and Chelsea will be dropping points.

Win this game and we could easily be sitting 2 points clear of anyone in 2 weeks time!

Saints are well out of form at the moment but St Mary's can be difficult place to visit. It's show your credentials time!

[Kopenhagen]

It's mine too. Gimme a hug!

[LovingLife]

Just missed out on qualifying for a ticket for this but still going down there with a few of the lads for the weekend. Seems we aren't the only ones either as couldn't get into any of the three Travel Lodge's nearest the ground. Managed to book into one about 16 miles away though so a few cheap drinks on the Saturday morning before a taxi into the nitty gritty and that's my day sorted.

Anyway, I'm pretty confident we'll win or at least get a point (which wouldn't be a disaster) and then on we go from there. It's a shame Firmino & Coutinho might miss out on starting (Coutinho more likely) due to the feckin International break but it's not bad to be able to call upon players like Studge, Origi & Wiji is it? Not bad at all Sir!

Win this or even draw and we have set ourselves up lovely to see out 2016 with our run of games coming up. Night shift tonight, short kip, then on the train for a weekend in Southampton.... Can't wait 

[Anfield Kopite]

Just missed out on qualifying for a ticket for this but still going down there with a few of the lads for the weekend. Seems we aren't the only ones either as couldn't get into any of the three Travel Lodge's nearest the ground. Managed to book into one about 16 miles away though so a few cheap drinks on the Saturday morning before a taxi into the nitty gritty and that's my day sorted.

Anyway, I'm pretty confident we'll win or at least get a point (which wouldn't be a disaster) and then on we go from there. It's a shame Firmino & Coutinho might miss out on starting (Coutinho more likely) due to the feckin International break but it's not bad to be able to call upon players like Studge, Origi & Wiji is it? Not bad at all Sir!

Win this or even draw and we have set ourselves up lovely to see out 2016 with our run of games coming up. Night shift tonight, short kip, then on the train for a weekend in Southampton.... Can't wait 

You do know its next weekend ?

[LovingLife]

You do know its next weekend ?

Ha was just going to ask what you meant before I read my post back.

Yep I'm aware it's next weekend mate but for some reason I typed (or got auto spelled) 'tonight' instead of 'Thursday'!

That'll teach me to not preview my posts 

[rowan_d]

I can just picture someone watching the England game in a pub in Southampton tomorrow, wondering how the players will get back in time for the club matches

[LovingLife]

 

[alonsoisared]

Lovely read, thanks.  Coutinho's screamer was a League game though,  Sterling scored late on to make it 2-0

ah yes, of course! That felt like a big win at the time as we looked to get back into the top four but alas it wasnt to be. Its funny, the wins we have had there recently have looked very comfortable; 2-0, 3-0 but they are always tough games. Even in the 6-1 we were behind and up against it for a while! Historically it has never been an easy game for us.

[Liver-Land]

I'm going for another 4-2 similar to CP game.

Mane with 2 against his former club
Coutinho with a trademark 25 yard curler
Milner with a penalty

2 soft goals from set pieces from the Saints of course.

[Le_Mot_Juste]

Assuming we beat Southampton, Sunderland and Bournemouth...And all our direct rivals win all their games, except Arsenal vs United being a draw, and Chelsea vs City being a draw - in 3 games time, the table will look like this:

1   Liverpool   14   22   35
2   Man City   14   17   31
3   Arsenal   14   15   31
4   Chelsea   14   18   30
5   Spurs    14   11   28
6   Man Utd   14   5   25


That'd represent a 10 point gap on United and insurmountable goal difference.

There's a chance we could head into January with top 4 practically sown up. When reflecting upon most of our expectations at the beginning of the season - that would represent a hell of an achievement.

[gatcliffe]

Assuming we beat Southampton, Sunderland and Bournemouth...And all our direct rivals win all their games, except Arsenal vs United being a draw, and Chelsea vs City being a draw - in 3 games time, the table will look like this:

1   Liverpool   14   22   35
2   Man City   14   17   31
3   Arsenal   14   15   31
4   Chelsea   14   18   30
5   Spurs    14   11   28
6   Man Utd   14   5   25


That'd represent a 10 point gap on United and insurmountable goal difference.

There's a chance we could head into January with top 4 practically sown up. When reflecting upon most of our expectations at the beginning of the season - that would represent a hell of an achievement.

Impressive reading, however why are so many people on here so paranoid about United ? Top four will not be sorted by January for us.

[Nick110581]

You can't sow up too four that early

[Crosby Nick]

You can't sow up too four that early

Can you sew it up though?

[sms1986]

You can't sow up too four that early

I just hope we don't make a pigs ear out of our season, I don't think I could boar it.

[Hunts Cross]

Assuming we beat Southampton, Sunderland and Bournemouth...And all our direct rivals win all their games, except Arsenal vs United being a draw, and Chelsea vs City being a draw - in 3 games time, the table will look like this:

1   Liverpool   14   22   35
2   Man City   14   17   31
3   Arsenal   14   15   31
4   Chelsea   14   18   30
5   Spurs    14   11   28
6   Man Utd   14   5   25


That'd represent a 10 point gap on United and insurmountable goal difference.

There's a chance we could head into January with top 4 practically sown up. When reflecting upon most of our expectations at the beginning of the season - that would represent a hell of an achievement.

This has more 'ifs' than a Rudyard Kipling poem. Looking at even only recent Prem seasons, thinking top four is sown up after 14 games is silly. A+ for enthusiasm though.

[Wingman]

Assuming we beat Southampton, Sunderland and Bournemouth...And all our direct rivals win all their games, except Arsenal vs United being a draw, and Chelsea vs City being a draw - in 3 games time, the table will look like this:

1   Liverpool   14   22   35
2   Man City   14   17   31
3   Arsenal   14   15   31
4   Chelsea   14   18   30
5   Spurs    14   11   28
6   Man Utd   14   5   25


That'd represent a 10 point gap on United and insurmountable goal difference.

There's a chance we could head into January with top 4 practically sown up. When reflecting upon most of our expectations at the beginning of the season - that would represent a hell of an achievement.

Stop it! I want to win the league as much as anyone, but let's just enjoy the ride 'ey?

[Callaghan.]

I just hope we don't make a pigs ear out of our season, I don't think I could boar it.

Hang on. Let's deal with Snout-hampton first.

[hassinator]

idle speculation but hope i can get away with it in the pre match thread but does anyone else read this as dortmund responding to a move?

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/liverpool-transfer-news-christian-pulisic-borussia-dortmund-a7410611.html

Borussia Dortmund have expressed their desire to hold onto Liverpool target Christian Pulisic amid rumours of a summer transfer.

The 18-year-old has been in good form for Dortmund so far this season, recording two goals and five assists in twelve games in all competitions since forcing his way into the starting line-up.

Pulisic also holds the records of being the youngest foreigner ever to play in the Bundesliga, as well as the youngest player in the modern era to score for the United States.

The American midfielder has appeared nine times for his country since making his debut towards the end of last season, scoring three goals.

Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel has had to deal with a series of injuries to key players this season, however the emergence of talented youngsters such as Pulisic has no doubt alleviated his concerns.

Liverpool are reportedly keen to bolster their attacking options after striker Danny Ings was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Senegal forward Sadio Mane will be away at the Africa Cup of Nations for a month.

[Dim Glas]

I think he only has 2 years left on his deal.  I guess they just want to get it sorted out sooner rather than later. I can't see him leaving there anytime soon.

[PaulF]

I imagine jet lag will almost rule out our south americans. Day what you like about private jets but the jet lag will be a killer. They are young and fit and their bodies will cope far better than mine, but unless they are back early enough for their bodies to adjust it'll be like trying to play at three in the morning.

Mockers applied, hattricks await !

[hassinator]

I think he only has 2 years left on his deal.  I guess they just want to get it sorted out sooner rather than later. I can't see him leaving there anytime soon.

fair. just seems that, as an american, he's a promotional five card trick.

[-HH-]

Assuming we beat Southampton, Sunderland and Bournemouth...And all our direct rivals win all their games, except Arsenal vs United being a draw, and Chelsea vs City being a draw - in 3 games time, the table will look like this:

1   Liverpool   14   22   35
2   Man City   14   17   31
3   Arsenal   14   15   31
4   Chelsea   14   18   30
5   Spurs    14   11   28
6   Man Utd   14   5   25


That'd represent a 10 point gap on United and insurmountable goal difference.

There's a chance we could head into January with top 4 practically sown up. When reflecting upon most of our expectations at the beginning of the season - that would represent a hell of an achievement.

Besides the ridiculous number of potential changes from that, aren't Chelsea currently a point behind us in 2nd? How do they suddenly drop to 5 points behind us after one draw?

[Redman0151]

idle speculation but hope i can get away with it in the pre match thread but does anyone else read this as dortmund responding to a move?

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/liverpool-transfer-news-christian-pulisic-borussia-dortmund-a7410611.html

Borussia Dortmund have expressed their desire to hold onto Liverpool target Christian Pulisic amid rumours of a summer transfer.

The 18-year-old has been in good form for Dortmund so far this season, recording two goals and five assists in twelve games in all competitions since forcing his way into the starting line-up.

Pulisic also holds the records of being the youngest foreigner ever to play in the Bundesliga, as well as the youngest player in the modern era to score for the United States.

The American midfielder has appeared nine times for his country since making his debut towards the end of last season, scoring three goals.

Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel has had to deal with a series of injuries to key players this season, however the emergence of talented youngsters such as Pulisic has no doubt alleviated his concerns.

Liverpool are reportedly keen to bolster their attacking options after striker Danny Ings was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Senegal forward Sadio Mane will be away at the Africa Cup of Nations for a month.

They'll be trying their hardest to keep him with this year's form and development. FSG's mouths would be watering at the prospect of having America's next big star and potentially greatest ever player though

[Mr_Shane]

I think its just a matter of when we get Pulisic not if.... probably will not be this season though. but thats another story.

By the time the new year comes along, I think we will be mathematically safe from relegation, but thats as far as I will go.

Regarding Southampton, its going to be a tough game, they will not make it easy for us, but I thnk we will find a way to win

[gb096]

This will be a tough game for us. Players back from international duty and coming off a good win against Watford.