Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

We needed full-backs who could force 2-on-1 situations up the pitch. However, Sakho and Toure were evidently uncomfortable in that role, they’re essentially very defensive players. In the League Cup this week, I’d like to see Ryan McLaughlin get a run out, if Johnson is still injured and Kelly isn’t fit enough to start yet we need someone on that right hand side that can make runs past Henderson on the overlap.

Brendan Rodgers lost tactically to Mauricio Pochettino

I’m also praying that will be back next weekend, because with him and Cissoko out and Robinson out on loan we haven’t got anyone else who can play as an attacking full-back on that left hand side. Southampton were fantastic at pressing us high up the pitch yesterday and I think this is the second time in a row now that Pochettino has tactically beaten Rodgers. I felt that the two defensive midfielders needed to step further back to support the defence more and try to move the ball up the pitch with them. A possession-based game that Rodgers wants demands that players give their team-mates options when they’re on the ball and the defence looked worryingly isolated at times.

Moses had another impressive game for me, he’s not a world-beater but he strikes me as a player who can actually add something to the team that we didn’t have before, speed and power on the wings. Henderson also played well, but I feel him and Johnson compliment each other. When Henderson doesn’t play, Johnson looks a bit shaky defensively. Similarly, whilst Johnson has been out we haven’t looked as much of a threat on the attack down that right wing.

Sturridge had a bit of an off day but he was far from terrible, just a bit too quiet. He was taken down in the box early on and it should have been a penalty, also he played a delightful through ball over the top for Sterling right at the end of the game, had the youngster taken it down better it would have been a goal scoring opportunity. So even though he wasn’t at his best, he could have had two assists had things out of his control gone his way and therefore, I don’t think yesterday’s dip in his so far fantastic run of form is anything to worry about. On the bright side, this was far from our best team and had it been our best team I would have expected a win. As players come back from injuries and suspensions over the next month, I expect things to improve. However, this match was a stark reminder that we are far from the finished article and a decent Southampton side that played at their best were enough to beat us.