Southampton’s biggest issue seems to be the same as last season

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Southampton’s start to the Premier League has been a disastrous one but their struggles remain the same as last season.

Two defeats in a row have pushed Southampton down to 19th place in the Premier League table. The Saints suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Burnley on the opening day before losing 2-1 to Liverpool on Saturday.

Ralph Hasenhuttl already seems to have a mountain to climb but, with their problems being the same as last season, a lot of questions will have to be asked about the Saints boss. The game against Liverpool was Southampton’s best possible chance to take some points off the European champions but lack of end product gave the Reds all three points.

The Saints’ midfield looked fairly solid, while their defence couldn’t really have done much with Sadio Mane’s opening goal. However, a jaded Liverpool side where there for the taking but the likes of Nathan Redmond, Che Adams and Danny Ings did not do enough to test Adrian who gifted a goal in the second half.

Southampton had 13 shots against the Reds on Saturday, of which just three were on target. Ings missed an absolute sitter just moments after his lucky opening goal and that has been Southampton’s biggest problem since the start of last season.

Ings scored seven times last term, while Redmond netted six more in a campaign which saw Southampton score just 45 goals. Not a single player hit double figures for the Saints and, if that does not change this time, they might again find themselves fighting for survival.

Hasenhuttl’s tactics looked spot-on against Liverpool for most parts, but there is not a lot that he can do if his strikers fail to finish.

With games against high flying Brighton and Manchester United coming up in their next two Premier League games, things will not be easy and they will have to pick up a few points to quickly ease the pressure.