Southampton Preview: Ex-Saints Set to Star as Things Get Awkward at Anfield
Despite the heroics of last season still living quite vividly in the memory, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was quick to brush aside any talk of title aspirations in his first pre-match press conference of the Premier League season.
“Our aim is to be competitive. Like the top teams, we want to win a trophy. That would be an aim. In the league, it’s about sustaining Champions League football” he said ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Southampton at Anfield. “For that you want to arrive in fourth. Once you have consolidated that, you can look beyond that. That’s certainly our aim this season.” There’s a long way to go, but the route always seems a bit shorter if you get off to a flier and tomorrow that’s exactly what Rodgers — and his host of ex-Southampton players — will be looking to do as they try to avoid making things awkward at Anfield.
So, of course, will Ronald Koeman’s side. The Dutch manager has a hodgepodge of new faces as well after a summer exodus from the South Coast following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure left the incoming boss with a depleted squad. Many of them will get their first real taste of English football tomorrow when they step out on the pitch at Anfield, and if the Reds pre-season is any indicator of what they’re in store for, it could very well be a baptism by fire for a few of them.
Koeman was on hand the witness Liverpool’s 4-0 dismantling of German side Borussia Dortmund a week ago, and though he wasn’t exactly impressed with the effort level from the Bundesliga giants, the score-line and the ease in which his opening day opponents were knocking them in will certainly play on his mind come Sunday. The confirmation that Jose Fonte has signed a new long term deal at St. Mary’s will ease the jitters if only slightly, as will the season long loan of fullback Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea that and the capture of highly rated Celtic ‘keeper Fraser Forster. Even without Luis Suarez, who scored and won a penalty as the Reds ran out 3-0 winners the last time these two sides squared up, it’s safe to say the Reds aren’t lacking for fire-power.
Rodgers men have been particularly lively from wide areas during pre-season with Raheem Sterling a lively presence when cutting in from the outside. Add a fit Daniel Sturridge that looks prepared to take up the torch in Suarez’s absence, an on-song Philippe Coutinho and boyhood Liverpool supporter Rickie Lambert — who was the first of three Saints to move to Merseyside this summer — to that equation and the cause for concern is palpable. Southampton may have snuck out of Anfield with three points last season, but goal-scorer Dejan Lovren is expected to be marshalling the Reds defence tomorrow after following Lambert and his former captain Adam Lallana to the North-West.
The addition of the Croatian defender may prove to be the most astute signing for Liverpool this season as they look to sort out the defensive problems that hampered them so bad over the last campaign. Although he’s only been on Merseyside for a short while, Lovren made his presence felt against Borussia Dortmund, not only breaking his scoring duck in his first appearance, but taking up a very vocal role organizing the back line. It’s been a bit quiet back there since Jamie Carragher called time on his playing career, but early indicators show that the 25-year old would be only too happy to take up the mantle of resident mouth-piece. Good news for Liverpool and very bad news for Southampton.
Reds ‘keeper Simon Mignolet saved a last minute penalty to secure three-points for the home side in their opening fixture last year, but Rodgers will be hoping that this one won’t come down to last minute heroics. Koeman is expected to hand debuts to striker Shane Long and attacking midfielder Saphir Taider as he looks to put Liverpool’s new found defensive resolve to the test. “It’s important to start very well. We had a really difficult game against Stoke last season” said the Northern Irishman as he wrapped up his press conference. “From that, we got our spirit; we conceded a penalty late on and Simon made a great save. We hope he doesn’t have to do that again. But it was important to make a good start.”
And really, it’s hard to ask for much more. Three points is the best start you can possibly ask for and it’ll set us well on our way. With the glories of last season firmly behind us, it’s all eyes straight ahead — Rodgers is targeting fourth place and a trophy, but we know that can change in the blink of an eye. No one expected to take a run at the title last year, so let’s see what this one holds for us…
–Steven