Liverpool Vs. Southampton Prediction: The Reds Guard The Top Of The Standings, Tha Saints Avoids Relegation

JAKARTA - Liverpool will host Southampton at Anfield Stadium on Saturday 8 March in the Premier League. This match brought together leaders with a team of caretakers in a battle that appeared to be one-sided. The Reds came in high spirits after a surprise 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, while The Saints had just been crushed by Chelsea with a score of 4-0.

Arne Slot's side are getting closer to the Premier League title after taking advantage of Arsenal's inconsistency to widen the lead to 13 points. Despite not always playing impressively, Liverpool have managed to collect point by point, keeping a record unbeaten in the last 24 league games.

Most recently, the Reds showed extraordinary resilience at the Parc des Princes. Alisson Becker performed brilliantly with a series of crucial saves, before Harvey Elliott scored a winning goal that put Liverpool ahead of PSG. Now, with high confidence, Liverpool are back in focus in the league, with an incredible record scoring at least two goals in their last 18 home games.

On the other hand, historical records also sided with Liverpool. In Premier League history, only once a team has a 24-match unbeaten record or lost to a caretaker team, namely Manchester United when they lost to Wolverhampton in 2011. With these statistics, Southampton's chances of stealing points at Anfield looked very thin.

Southampton are still at the bottom of the standings with just nine points. Ivan Juric's team had to face the harsh reality that they were getting closer to the brink of relegation.

The 0-4 defeat to Chelsea exacerbated the situation of The Saints, who are now 13 points behind the safe zone with only 11 matches remaining. If they don't get up immediately, Southampton has the potential to record the lowest number of points in Premier League history.

Despite providing fierce resistance in the last two meetings against Liverpool' narrow losses in the Premier League and the EFL Cup by the end of 2024 Their away record to Anfield was very bad. Southampton has always lost in the last six trips to the Reds headquarters and is likely to extend the poor record on Saturday.

Liverpool still has to face some injury constraints. It is still doubtful that the Gakpo who missed the match against PSG. Meanwhile, Tyler Morton (shoulder injury), Joe Gomez (hamstring), and Conor Bradley (hamstring) are ruled out.

Arne Slot is likely to rotate his team to maintain the fitness of players ahead of the second leg against PSG. Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Darwin Nunez are likely to enter the starting XI. However, Mohamed Salah is likely to remain down as the Egyptian star is pursuing a record goal contribution in 12 consecutive Premier League home games.

In Southampton, Ivan Juric also had to face a player crisis. James Bree and Kyle Walker-Peters were injured against Chelsea, making them doubt appearing at Anfield.

Adam Lalana (rung injury) and Jan Bednarek (faty) are also in doubt, although Bednarek is expected to fit. Meanwhile, Ross Stewart (fitness problem), Juan Larios (fitness), and Ryan Fraser (pial injury) are confirmed to be absent.

However, there is good news for Southampton. Lesley Ugochukwu, a loan midfielder from Chelsea, has been able to return to play after missing the game against his parent club. This young player will most likely enter the starting XI to strengthen The Saints' midfield.

With all the factors available, Liverpool are clearly seeded to win this match. Their consistent performance at home, plus Southampton's poor performance, makes the Reds predicted to win a comfortable victory.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Elliott, Diaz; Nunez

Southampton (5-4-1):Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Manning; Fernandes, Ugochukwu, Smallbone, Sulemana; Onuachu

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Southampton