Liverpool will welcome Southampton to Anfield for a Premier League contest on March 8.
The Reds are steamrolling to their second Premier League title, and Southampton could be the latest side to fall victim to Arne Slot’s relentless red machines.
At the time of writing, the Reds have virtually etched their name on the holy grail after claiming a comfortable 2-0 win over title holders Manchester City, who are gearing up to vacate their spot at the pinnacle of English football.
Their prospects were bolstered by Arsenal’s shocking 1-0 defeat against West Ham United, which allowed Liverpool to extend their lead at the summit to 11 points.
Despite the gulf between both sides, Mikel Arteta’s side have refused to throw in the title, pledging to fight until the last day.
However, their attempts at redemption might be nothing more than a shot in the dark.
From here on out, the title is Liverpool’s to lose, and fans who buy Liverpool vs Southampton tickets from Seatsnet.com will expect another dominating display from their side.
Head to Head
The upcoming contest might be nothing more than a formality, considering the gulf between both sides competing from either end of the Premier League table.
The odds are firmly stacked in favour of Liverpool, who are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with the Saints across all competitions (W7, D1).
The last time these two squared off in the Premier League, they delivered an instant classic, although Liverpool came out on top in the enthralling five-goal thriller.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Adam Armstrong cancelled each other out in the first half before Mateus Fernandes completed the comeback for the Saints just before the hour mark.
However, the relegation-battling South Coast club failed to keep the Reds at bay as Mohamed Salah levelled matters just nine minutes after Fernandes’ strike.
The game was turned on its head for the second time when Salah rifled home a penalty to hand Liverpool a hard-fought victory at Saint Mary’s Stadium.
Both sides renewed acquaintances in the EFL Cup quarter-final, where Liverpool got a 2-1 win with a line-up dominated by academy players.
Southampton have only picked up one point from their last six Premier League meetings with Liverpool since a shocking 1-0 win at Saint Mary’s.
You’d also have to go back to September 2013 for the last time Southampton left Anfield with maximum points.
They’ve only taken two points from their last nine league visits since then.
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Liverpool
Slot has proven to be nothing if not consistent, especially with his preferred starting line-up.
He only makes minor tweaks when forced by injuries, suspensions, or fatigue, but nearly every manager in the Premier League knows what to expect even before the team sheet is announced.
However, as Liverpool have proven, it’s one thing to know what to expect, but stopping it is another ball game entirely, and Southampton are all but certain to be the latest victims of the Premier League champions-elect.
Regardless of the opposition, you’d always expect Slot to field a strong line-up.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Alisson will take his place between the sticks behind a familiar back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson.
Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have done a fantastic job anchoring the midfield this season, providing reliable cover for the backline as the dangermen at the top end of the pitch get the job done.
They’ll be keen to put in another dominating performance in the middle of the park.
Based on recent form, Dominik Szoboszlai should get the nod in the number 10 role – although things could change in the build-up to the game – flanked by Cody Gakpo and talisman Salah.
With Diogo Jota struggling to maintain fitness and Darwin Nunez shooting blanks, Luis Diaz has taken up the mantle of leading the line and has done admirably well.
Slot will decide who leads the line between Jota and Diaz, but the Colombian forward should get the nod ahead of his Portuguese teammate.
(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Salah; Diaz.
Southampton
Southampton are all but certain to return to the Championship this season unless they pull off the mother of all comebacks in the run-in.
Parting ways with Russell Martin, who got them promoted to the Premier League, was supposed to boost their chances of survival, but Ivan Juric’s appointment has done little to stem the bleeding.
Even though they’re overwhelming underdogs heading into the game, Juric will want his side to show some character and play for pride – which is all they have left to play for.
Aaron Ramsdale has been Southampton’s standout performer this season, which perhaps explains their current predicament, and the £25 million ex-Arsenal flop should start in goal against Liverpool.
Juric will likely line up with a back five, so Ramsdale should have some form of protection from Kyle Walker-Peters, Joe Aribo, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and Yukinari Sugawara.
Kamaldeen Sulemana will be looking to use his blistering pace to cause Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold plenty of trouble on the left flank.
Fernandes will offer width on the right while Lesley Ugochukwu and Will Smallbone hold down the fort in the middle of the park.
Juric will decide who leads the line between Cameron Archer and Paul Onuachu, but the Nigerian striker might be given the nod to give the Saints a towering presence in the Liverpool box.
(5-4-1): Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Aribo, Bella-Kotchap, Harwood-Bellis, Sugawara; Sulemana, Smallbone, Ugochukwu, Fernandes; Onuachu.
Ticket Information
Want to experience the thrill of Premier League football live? Secure your tickets through official club websites.
For great deals and a wide selection of seats, check out Liverpool tickets on Seatsnet.com, a reliable marketplace for finding tickets to every Premier League fixture.
How to Watch in the United Kingdom
Catch all the action of the 2024/25 Premier League season on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime Video.
Sky Sports offers the most comprehensive coverage with 128 live matches, followed by TNT Sports with 52 games, and Amazon Prime Video with 20 exclusive streams.
No matter your preference, there’s a way to watch your favourite team play.
