Liverpool vs Southampton Predictions

• Liverpool have a Champions League game on Tuesday.
• Southampton have scored in two meetings with Liverpool this season.
• Both teams have scored in four of Southampton’s last five away.

Europe the priority for Liverpool

League leaders Liverpool host rock bottom Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday but their focus could be elsewhere.

Liverpool somehow managed to claim a 1-0 win in France in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie with PSG. That scoreline was not a true reflection of the game, however, as the Ligue 1 club bossed possession and managed 27 chances in total to Liverpool’s two – with the Merseyside outfit scoring with their only attempt on goal.

Manager Arne Slot will be taking nothing for granted ahead of the home leg next week, despite the Anfield advantage and a slender lead, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him shuffle his pack considerably on Saturday due to their huge 13-point lead in the Premier League.

Now may well be the perfect time for any team to face Liverpool and, considering the prices, a double chance bet on Saints to win or draw is my main bet.

Struggling Saints can get a result

If Liverpool play their best XI, it is hard to see Southampton getting anything out of this game but if Slot does decide to make big changes the visitors may be able to sneak a result.

Slot rotated heavily for an FA Cup tie with Championship side Plymouth and they ended up losing to the Pilgrims, and Southampton have put in two decent displays against the Reds this season.

In the reverse fixture, Southampton led 2-1 early in the second half but ended up losing 3-2 as Liverpool scored an 83rd minute winner. The two teams also met in the EFL Cup at St Mary’s and Southampton produced a spirited second half display in a 2-1 defeat after falling two goals behind early on.

Other options for Saints backers

I appreciate that taking a chance on Saints to win or draw looks a big ask given they have managed just nine points in 27 games and have 22 defeats, so I’ve highlighted a few alternative options.

The handicap market is set at three goals and Southampton +3 looks a decent bet considering both of their defeats to Liverpool this season were by one-goal margins.

Both teams to score is just shy of evens. Both teams scored in both previous meetings this season and Saints have scored in four of their last five away games.

The above points are reflected in a correct score prediction of 1-1. Liverpool haven’t been prolific in front of goal this season and haven’t scored more than twice in any of their last seven games, while Saints have only scored more than one goal in two of their away games all season.

It is hard to predict what team Slot will put out on Saturday and in any case the value is with the visiting players in the goalscorer market. As a Saints goal is predicted, it makes sense to pick out one of their team for an anytime strike and Paul Onuachu could be a contender.

The Nigerian has two goals in his last six Premier League appearances and has had 10 attempts in total across those fixtures, including three in the defeat to Chelsea last time out. Onuachu is getting chances, and he may be able to take on against a changed Liverpool defence this weekend.