Liverpool visited St Mary’s with intentions of building further on their good form of late but could only watch on as their first half performance was overturned in spectacular fashion by a resilient Southampton side.
The game began with Southampton being denied a penalty for a foul on Shane Long. Liverpool would eventually open the scoring from a Philippe Coutinho stunner with a second from Daniel Sturridge doubling the lead. The Reds missed a number of chances after, a fact that they would later rue.
Southampton earned a penalty and missed it in the second half before Sadio Mane scored a goal to pull one back before Graziano Pelle equalised brilliantly later in the game. Sadio Mane scored his second and took the three points for a buoyant Southampton side. Let’s look at how the players fared.
Southampton
Fraser Forster – 5/10
Fraser Forster was not convincing in his role for the first goal. In spite of magic from Coutinho, he could have done better. He was helpless for the second goal but made a brilliant save to deny Joe Allen moments later. He wasn’t tested much thereafter with easy shots sent his way.
Ryan Bertrand – 6/10
Ryan Bertrand played well on the night offering an attacking outlet which became useful in the second half. He wasn’t really troubled much defensively either.
Virgil van Dijk – 5/10
Virgil van Dijk wasn’t exactly at his best on the night as the Liverpool forward line go the better of him and his partner time and again. He was lucky that Liverpool didn’t finish most of their chances.
Jose Fonte – 5/10
It was a difficult night for Jose Fonte as Liverpool’s forwards had a lot of joy at his and his partner’s expense. He had a better second half than first.
Cuco Martina – 4/10
Cuco Martina was troubled consistently by Coutinho floating out onto his side and Divock Origi making merry when charging with the ball at his feet into Martina. He offered little offensively barring a good cross or two.
Jordie Clasie – 4/10
Jordie Clasie did not seem comfortable at all with Joe Allen consistently finding a way past him. He was substituted off at half-time.
Oriol Romeu – 5/10
Oriol Romeu had a poor first half but was more confident in the second with Wanyama by his side. He was substituted for James Ward-Prowse later on.
Dusan Tadic – 5/10
An average first half saw Dusan Tadic substituted at half time. He kept the ball well but didn’t trouble the Liverpool defence.
Steven Davis– 6/10
A hardworking performance from Steven Davis only paid dividends in the second half. He was continuously pushed back by Liverpool attackers in the first half.
Shane Long – 7/10
Shane Long enjoys games against Liverpool. He was constantly in the Liverpool defenders’ faces and should have had a penalty when Dejan Lovren barged him over. He kept the pressure up on the Liverpool defence allowing Pelle to take advantage.
Graziano Pelle – 7/10
Graziano Pelle was isolated for most of the first half with Liverpool slicing through Southampton’s midfield and defence at will. He came to life in the second half as Southampton regained control in midfield. He won Southampton a penalty and his finish for the equaliser was magnificent.
Substitutes
Victor Wanyama – 7/10
Victor Wanyama came on at half-time and changed the face of the game with his power and pressing. Wanyama shored up the midfield and completely controlled Joe Allen who was making merry in the first half. He was key to the Southampton fightback.
Sadio Mane – 7/10
Sadio Mane missed a penalty but scored twice thereafter to turn the game around. He kept troubling Flanagan and Clyne with his power and pace and extracted fouls and mistakes from the Liverpool defense.
James Ward-Prowse – 4/10
James Ward-Prowse came on late in the game but spent most of his time on the pitch collecting fouls.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 6/10
Simon Mignolet looked in complete control in the first half, commanding his area well. Mignolet made a spectacular save from Sadio Mane’s penalty to keep Liverpool ahead but could only watch as the defence in front of him capitulated.
Jon Flanagan – 6/10
Captain on the night, Jon Flanagan did very well in the first half. He was put under concerted pressure in the second by Sadio Mane.
Dejan Lovren – 5/10
Dejan Lovren seemed nervy on his return to St. Mary’s. He nearly handed Southampton the initiative but was lucky to have not given away a penalty. He kept collecting fouls and a yellow card was brandished for his troubles.
Mamadou Sakho – 6/10
Mamadou Sakho looked completely in control with Dejan Lovren by his side, making some important tackles and interceptions along the way. Sakho looked overburdened with Martin Skrtel by his side and capitulated in the second half.
Nathaniel Clyne – 5/10
This was the second consecutive game for Nathaniel Clyne, where he looked unconvincing. Clyne offered nothing offensively and little defensively.
Emre Can – 5/10
Emre Can looked decent in the first half and was completely run over in the second. He missed a great chance in the second half to put Liverpool ahead again.
Joe Allen – 6/10
Joe Allen looked in sublime form in the first half. He had his goal chalked off for an offside from Mamadou Sakho. In the second half, he was dominated physically by Wanyama but still kept doing his bit. He was substituted off late into the game.
Philippe Coutinho - 7/10
Philippe Coutinho scored the opener and it was a stunning strike. Coutinho kept troubling the Southampton defence and midfield all through the game. He faded a little towards the end.
Adam Lallana – 5/10
Adam Lallana was anonymous for most of the game. He did not figure much on the ball in either half.
Divock Origi – 6/10
Divock Origi kept running at defenders with the ball and it was some neat work from him on the second goal from Liverpool that saw the ball reach Daniel Sturridge. He made one or two questionable decisions but looked good for most of the game.
Daniel Sturridge - 6/10
Daniel Sturridge conjured an absolutely magical finish to put Liverpool 0-2 up in the game. He seemed excellent in the first half and was mostly helpless in the second.
Substitutes
Martin Skrtel – 0/10
Martin Skrtel came on in the second half after the break. He managed to win no tackles, made no interceptions, no blocks, gave away a penalty and then made three distinct mistakes that played their part in one way or the other in all three goals conceded. He almost single-handedly won Southampton the game.
Christian Benteke – 4/10
Christian Benteke missed a glorious chance to score Liverpool’s third. He was not anywhere near enough in the game otherwise.
Sheyi Ojo – N/A
