Southampton vs Liverpool

FS:0-1

Goals: Danny Ings (2′)

St Mary’s Stadium

4th of January 2020

At one point does one of those nights at St Mary’s last night become one of those seasons for Liverpool?

I’m sure Jurgen Klopp will be pondering that very question, after watching the latest episode of Liverpool’s nightmare during Christmas.

After the throwing away of two points at home to West Bromwich Albion and the frustration of being unable to capitalise on a slew of presentable chances at Newcastle United came this, a part-agonising, part-dismal defeat at Southampton which underlined in graphic terms the problems that are continuing to hamper the Reds’ defence of their hard-earned title.

On the face of it, only a second loss in 17 Premier League games this season – and by the narrowest of margins – shouldn’t be a worry, not least given Liverpool remain, , joint top of the table; of coure with Manchester United.

But Klopp is no fool. Having said the performance at St James’ Park last week gave him something to work with, this latest display emphasised the efforts that are going to be required to drag the Reds’ championship challenge back on track quickly.

Liverpool will rightly contend, as I thought they were unlucky not to be awarded at least one penalty when, in the second half, a goalbound Gini Wijnaldum shot was clearly handled by Jack Stephens and Sadio Mane was later upended by Kyle Walker-Peter.

Referee Andre Marriner waved both away while VAR Andy Madley was presumably too distracted by the ramifications of Boris Johnson’s latest U-turn; on another national lockdown.

I could debate VAR all day

It has, though, been clear for some time that fortune and such borderline decisions have meant Liverpool are going to have to rely on their own talent and application to remain in title contention this season

And that just isn’t happening right now.

The reasons are myriad. The intensity has dipped with players jaded having been repeatedly called upon during the injury-hit start to the season, and the attack, after a record-breaking seven goals at Crystal Palace, has suddenly forgotten how to score.

Then there’s the centre-back situation, a debate that simply isn’t going to go away.

A chilly South Coast evening witnessed another attempted solution as Jordan Henderson moved to partner Fabinho, remarkably Liverpool’s 10th different pairing in 17 Premier League games this season – hardly conducive of the consistency required to win the championship, particularly in such a key position

No side can withstand having to employ two central midfielders – and key ones at that – in the heart of defence without there being a disruption in playing style, rhythm and balance, not least when the starting line-up also included one player making his first start in two months – Thiago Alcantara – and another his first of the campaign – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

That in turn affects the engine room in the team, which troubles the forward line. Not ideal.

If neither Rhys Williams nor Nat Philipps can be trusted for a regular run, and Joel Matip remains injury-prone, Klopp may have no option but to move in the market before January is out.

Henderson barely had a chance to adjust to his new surroundings when Liverpool conceded the only goal in dismal fashion after only two minutes.

After a soft foul was awarded against Thiago, Saints set-piece expert James Ward-Prowse whipped in a delivery to the edge of the area that Trent Alexander-Arnold completely misjudged, allowing former Liverpool striker Danny Ings – of all people – the chance to lob expertly into the far corner beyond the helpless Alisson Becker.

Alexander-Arnold had belted the ball straight out of play with practically Liverpool’s first touch of the match, setting the tone for a dismal half for the visitors and the right-back in particular.

Statistics showed he gave the ball away 38 times in his 78-minute outing, the most of any player in the Premier League this season.

Southampton lacked quality in possession for the most part, but the Reds were unable to take advantage as a succession of promising attacks floundered with a misplaced pass or wrong decision.

There were some signs of light before half-time, Mane curling too high after cutting in off the right and later doing well to dig out a cross from which Mohamed Salah, under pressure, headed over.

The best opportunities, though, fell to the home side, Ibrahima Diallo firing wide and Henderson making a timely interception after Ings had outpaced Fabinho.

Alexander-Arnold had belted the ball straight out of play with practically Liverpool’s first touch of the match, setting the tone for a dismal half for the visitors and the right-back in particular.

Statistics showed he gave the ball away 38 times in his 78-minute outing, the most of any player in the Premier League this season.

Southampton lacked quality in possession for the most part, but the Reds were unable to take advantage as a succession of promising attacks floundered with a misplaced pass or wrong decision.

There were some signs of light before half-time, Mane curling too high after cutting in off the right and later doing well to dig out a cross from which Mohamed Salah, under pressure, headed over.

The best opportunities, though, fell to the home side, Ibrahima Diallo firing wide and Henderson making a timely interception after Ings had outpaced Fabinho.

Indeed, as the game became extremely stretched, Alisson unwisely left his area and was bailed out by Henderson mopping up substitute Yan Valery’s weak goalbound effort.

Crosses rained in on the Southampton box during a frantic injury-time period but Liverpool could have played until the end of the latest national lockdown without scoring.

Which, given nobody knows when that will end, is a very significant worry indeed. If Klopp isn’t concerned by his team, then he should be.

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