Southampton fell to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, but it was a scoreline that flattered the European Champions after a valiant performance from the Saints.
It was a frustrating first half for the home side, and at half-time, it looked like Southampton could take something from the game. However, whatever was discussed in Liverpool dressing room at half time seemingly worked, as the Reds came out firing and showed just how good they are in scintillating style and put Saints to the sword.
Here’s the four main things we took from the game from a Saints point of view.
VAR still has its flaws
Once again, refereeing decisions sparked more VAR controversy as Southampton were denied what, for us, seemed to be a stonewall penalty. Liverpool immediately went up the other end, with former Saint Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain putting the Reds ahead, which rubbed salt into the wound for Southampton. VAR is slowly improving, but big improvements are still required as, for us, Fabinho clearly caught Danny Ings and there was enough contact to warrant the VAR overruling the onfield decision.
Saints missed Stuart Armstrong
Despite working hard and capatilising on some Liverpool errors to create a few half-chances, Southampton struggled to create clear cut chances, as shown with thier xG stat for the game being 0.72. Missing Stuart Armstrong, who has been an influential figure in the side in the past few weeks, certainly didn’t help them and Saints will be hoping that Armstrong will make a swift return to the side.
James Ward-Prowse is key to the Saints midfield
James Ward-Prowse was played out of position at right back, and the English international was a big miss in the midfield. However, with Yan Valery close to making a return, and new signing Kyle Walker-Peters waiting to make his debut, Ward Prowse should be back in the centre of midfield next time out. He did a valient job at right-back, but he’s more effective in midfield, a position from which he has three goals and two assists this season.
Ings and Long are starting to struggle
This may be a short dip in form, but both Danny Ings and Shane Long are starting to struggle to put the ball in the back of the net. Ings was on a run where he’d scored in nine of Saints eleven league games, but he’s since been goalless in the last three consecutive top-flight games. Long, meanwhile, has just one league goal all season. Both players missed good chances in the first half against Liverpool and, for us, it seems that their partnership, which has been prolific in recent months is slowly deteriorating. If this continues to be isthe case, Ralph Hasenhuttl should seek to make a change and partner one of Che Adams or Michael Obafemi alongside Ings.
