Southampton host Liverpool at St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.
Southampton host high-flying Liverpool this weekend at St. Mary’s in what should be an intriguing match-up. Let’s take a look at some of the key points to look out for.
Mane is the man
So far this season, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better signing than Liverpool’s Sadio Mane.
Coincidentally, the club he arrived from is the very club he returns to play this weekend. Having enjoyed a fruitful spell at the Saints, during which time he played both on the wing and as a centre-forward, he is now at Liverpool and is exhibiting all the traits which made him such a star for Southampton.
With a such fractured relationship between the two clubs, it’ll be interesting to see how Mane reacts to returning to his old stamping ground. Given the form he’s in, it could spell trouble for the Saints.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their fifth goal
Reds to handle the pressure?
For the first time since the tail-end of the 2013/14 season, Liverpool are the current league leaders. Having gone into the international break after a 6-1 demolition of Watford at Anfield, the Reds are the form side in the league.
But questions still remain about how they will actually handle the pressure of being league-leaders. Will they rise to the challenge and show the mettle that champions need? Or will they wilt under what is sure to be a tense and hotly contested battle.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
Southampton to arrest slide
After taking just one point from their last three games, the Saints need to address the slump they have found themselves in. Despite losing 2-0 to title-chasing Chelsea, their home form is nothing to turn your nose up at – especially in a heated fixture such as this.
The international break will have come as a relief for Claude Puel’s men and they will be revitalised and ready to steal a march on the Premier League’s top six. This could well start here against Liverpool.
Southampton manager Claude Puel
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