Liverpool dropped two points against Southampton as a 0-0 draw at the St. Mary's stadium somewhat derailed their title aspirations. It was an inspired defensive performance from the home side as the Claude Puel side were drilled to perfection to face the Reds' attack.
Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane came the closest for the visitors but Jurgen Klopp was left bemused at the touchline as Liverpool had the major share of possession but failed to reflect that on the scoreline.
Southampton
Fraser Forster: 7/10
Forster was sensational on the night as he made some crucial saves to keep Southampton in the game. His save against a Mane shot from the left was the moment of the game.
Cedric Soares: 6.5
The Portuguese kept the Reds' attackers at bay as he held his ground well and was ready for any challenge that Liverpool threw at him. His impressive performance had one sour note as he was booked for a challenge on Coutinho.
Jose Fonte: 5.5
The experienced Portuguese defender was decent when he was in possession but failed at times against the pace of Firmino and Mane. He made one fine tackle to stop Coutinho from taking a shot.
Virgil Van Dijk: 8
Certainly one of the best players on the night, the former Celtic man was absolutely colossal as he kept Liverpool at bay for the entire 90 minutes.
Ryan Bertrand: 6
The England international was under constant threat as Liverpool attacked from his flank to gave him problems. He committed some unnecessary fouls but did all the dirty work pretty well.
Steven Davis: 5.5
The Northern Irish midfielder was tidy in possession but failed to do his defensive work to the tee as he was beaten far too easily at times.
Oriol Romeu: 6.5
The former Chelsea man had one of his better nights in a red and white shirt as he threaded some fine balls and broke many of Liverpool's attacks.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg: 6
Hojberg was robust in midfield and worked tirelessly for his side. He was substituted before 12 minutes until the final whistle and was given a rapturous applause by the Saints crowd.
Sofiane Boufal: 5.5
The Saints' record signing was silent in the first half but showed glimpses of his prodigious talent in the second half.
Nathan Redmond: 5.5
The young Englishman was denied the desired service and was disappointing, to say the least. Redmond showed quick feet at times.
Charlie Austin: 6
Austin was a frustrated figure as the lone figure forward as his other teammates were involved in the defensive scheme of things. The only major chance that the Saints had fell to him.
Substitutions
Shane Long: 6.5
He replaced Boufal and was incessant in his pressing but failed to create much for the home side.
Jay Rodriguez: 6.5
He replaced Austin and showed his immense talent but was eventually more concentrated in defending.
Harrison Reed: NA
The youngster played for just 12 minutes and was good in possession as he replaced Hojberg well.
Liverpool
Loris Karius: 7
The German, in his seventh start for the club, had very little to do. Southampton had zero shots on target and other than a punch from a cross in the first half, Karius was a mere spectator.
Nathaniel Clyne: 6
Facing his old club, Clyne was at his usual best in defending and handled Boufal well but failed to execute passes going forward. He had a brilliant chance which he should have buried.
Joel Matip: 8
Liverpool's best defender on the night by a mile. He was calm in possession, kept Austin quiet and was a threat in every Liverpool set piece. The summer signing is turning out to be a masterstroke from the club.
Dejan Lovren: 7
A mature performance from the Croatian international as he held his nerves amidst the booing he was getting on his return to St. Mary's. He was solid defensively but made a couple of stray passes.
James Milner: 5.5
Milner had little to do defensively but he failed to provide Liverpool another dimension going forward. Overall, an average performance from the veteran.
Jordan Henderson: 7
By every passing game, it looks like Henderson was made for this role as he put in yet another solid performance in the centre of the park. The Liverpool captain was tidy in possession and intercepted many opposition attacks.
Emre Can: 5.5
The big German went forward effectively but lost possession at times. A wayward shot from a brilliant position was one important opportunity for Can.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6
Wijnaldum’s off the ball work was commendable as the Dutchman showed immense work rate. His passing too was decent as he created an opportunity for Sadio Mane and also took a shot from 25 yards.
Roberto Firmino: 6.5
Firmino didn't play much for Brazil and that was evident as he displayed another tireless effort for the Reds. His pressing and determination to win the ball back initiated many Liverpool attacks but he missed an absolute sitter in the second half.
Philippe Coutinho: 6
It was a risk taken by Klopp to give a start to the Brazilian as he had played extensively for Brazil in the international break, and it showed on the pitch that Coutinho was not 100% fit. Every Liverpool attack seemed to start from him but he got frustrated in the closing stages of the game and received an unnecessary booking.
Sadio Mane: 5.5
The Senegalese looked dangerous at times but had a number of chances to win the game for his side. His blistering pace was not on show against the Saints as the opposition defended resolutely against the Reds' front three.
Substitutions
Daniel Sturridge: 7
He brought an impetus to the Liverpool attack as he created a chance just after coming on. He was neat in possession but could not have a go at Forster’s goal.
Divock Origi: N/A
The young Belgian came in the stoppage time and hardly had a touch of the ball.
