Right then, 1 down 11 to go.
Southampton have no doubt had the beating of us recently, their high pressing and passing style does not bring out the best in us. At their ground, this is no doubt going to be a real test of our credentials.
When we played them at Anfield our starting 11 consisted of Moses & Aspas, no Suarez, Coutinho or Sterling. There is no doubt our overall attacking play has vastly improved since then, although our defending seems to have gone backwards as we had only conceded 2 goals in 4 games before they came to Anfield (and that included 3 clean sheets on the bounce).
Lovren is back in the squad for them by all accounts, which will no doubt be a boost to them as he was immense before he got sidelined. I do however think we're much better equiped to deal with their playing style now and should be in a position to capitalise on their high defensive line.
Key questions for me:
Does Agger keep his place or does Toure come in?
Does Johnson keep his place or will Rodgers go with Cissokho?
Joe Allen must be in with a shout of starting, but in place of Coutinho or Sterling?
I would be tempted to give Coutinho a rest for this as I think SASAS are more than equiped to get in behind them. I believe that Allen is the only one of our midfielders who can genuinally control the tempo of a match and can slow it down when we're under the cosh so I feel his pressence in our mf 3 will be crucial to winning this game.
I'd go.
Mignolet
Flanaghan Skrtel Toure Cissokho
Gerrard
Henderson Allen
Sterling Suarez
Sturridge
3 points here and we're looking good for 4th, maybe even higher. Come on redmen! YNWA