FT: LIVERPOOL 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON

Date: Sunday 17 August
Kick Off: 13:30
Venue: Anfield
Competition: Premier League
Broadcast: Sky Sports 2

LIVERPOOL - 2

Sterling (23)
Sturridge (79)

SOUTHAMPTON - 1

Clyne (56)

KEY ACTION

79: LIVERPOOL 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON - Sturridge
Soton fail to deal with the resulting free-kick where a high ball in the area is nodded forward by Sterling and Sturridge gets the faintest of touches to turn it in from six yards.

78: SOUTHAMPTON BOOKING - S Davis
A yellow card for Steven Davis after a foul on Joe Allen.

65: SOUTHAMPTON BOOKING - Schneiderlin
Schneiderlin booked for a foul on Coutinho.

56: LIVERPOOL 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON - Clyne
Tadic plays a neat back heel before Clyne runs through unmarked and lashes the ball into the roof of the net.

34: LIVERPOOL BOOKING - Manquillo
Manquillo gets booked for a late challenge on Todic.

23: LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON - Sterling
Henderson wins the ball back on the halfway line before playing a through ball for Sterling, who latches onto it before calmly slotting beyond Forster.

TEAMS

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet, Manquillo, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Sturridge. Subs: Jones, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Ibe, Can, Lambert

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Pelle. Subs: K Davis, Long, Taider, Cork, Hooiveld, Isgrove, Stephens.

PREVIEW

Premier League football returns to Anfield after the disappointment in May of not lifting the title after an unexpected, yet astonishing campaign.

Brendan Rodgers has reinforced his squad following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, and a big question mark over the squad is whether the departure of the Uruguayan will derail the chances of a top four finish or even another bid for the title this season.

Three of Liverpool's summer recruits have come from St Mary's - with Adam Lallana, Rickie lambert and perhaps the most important signing of the three, defender Dejan Lovren, all joining from the South Coast.

For Southampton this summer has seen an exodus of players, with Luke Shaw and striker Osvaldo joining the list of names out the door.

Ronald Koeman takes charge of his first competitive game for Southampton after replacing Mauricio Pochettino who left for Spurs over the summer.

Liverpool have an immediate chance to pick up three points on last season, as Soton were just one of two teams to return home victorious from Anfield thanks to now-Red Dejan Lovren's second half header back in September.

FORM

LIVERPOOL
Sunday 11 May 2014
Premier League
Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle

SOUTHAMPTON
Sunday 11 May 2014
Premier League
Southampton 1-1 Manchester United

LAST MEETING
Saturday 1 March 2014
Premier League
Southampton 0-3 Liverpool