English Premier League - Game 36 - Liverpool (Home)
Liverpool are our next opponents, and if we beat them today, we are all but guaranteed Champions League football next season. Changes at the back, but otherwise the same lineup that has been performing very well recently. Liverpool are missing Coutinho and Firmino, the two players who caused us so much trouble last time.
In the 6th minute Benteke had a bit of space at the top of the box, and sent a pretty tame effort goalwards, but it somehow slipped through Forster’s grasp and into the bottom corner.
In the 8th minute a lovely passing move saw us flow forwards, and Rodriguez found Cazares for a shot, but Mignolet got down well to make a good save.
Cedric’s 28th minute attempted cross almost went in, but struck the post and bounced clear.
Twenty seconds later Davis cut open the defence with a great pass but Cazares’s shot went the wrong side of the post.
In the 36th minute Moreno skipped past Cedric and swung a brilliant cross through the box to Ibe at the back post, but Forster flung himself across to deny the young winger a certain goal.
In stoppage time Henderson passed a free kick sideways to Ibe, who sent a killer ball through for Benteke, but Forster diverted his shot over the bar.
Gitschier replaced Cazares in the 52nd minute.
In the 56th minute we cleared a corner but Ibe sent it all the way back in to Moreno, whose volley was very similar to his "offside" one against Newcastle irl, but hit the top of the bar and went out for a goal kick.
In the 64th minute Targett played a brilliant ball over the top for Rodriguez, who did everything right except for the finish, which beat Mignolet but rolled agonisingly wide of the far post.
In the 70th minute Ramirez sent a ball through for Rodriguez, but Sakho managed to get a touch on his shot to make it an easier save for Mignolet.
Juanmi replaced Tadic in the 71st minute.
In the 76th minute Harry Wilson played Lucas through, but he missed the target with just Forster to beat.
Dario Rodriguez replaced Jay Rodriguez in the 85th minute, going to the right wing and moving Ramirez to the left, with Juanmi leading the line.
Disappointment as our long unbeaten run came to an end in a match where our finishing let us down. I suppose Rodriguez had to come down to earth at some point, and if I could pick a team to lose to, it would be Liverpool, so it’s not all bad. This blows the top 4 race wide open again though. Manchester City and ourselves are on 63 points each, with the goal difference in their favour, and Liverpool and Swansea are both on 60 points, with two games left. Our last match is against Arsenal, which could easily see us drop three points. All still to play for!
POM: Christian Benteke (Liverpool - 7.6, 1G, 0A)
Best Southampton Player: Steven Davis (7.6, 0G, 0A)