Liverpool 0-1 Southampton: Analysis, Key Quotes and Stats
Liverpool fall to their first defeat of the season thanks to a single goal from Southampton's Dejan Lovren
Liverpool fell to their first loss of the season after Southampton defeated the side 1-0 on Merseyside, thanks to a goal from Dejan Lovren and some tough defending.
The Reds began the match attempting to display the attacking flare that has kept them undefeated so far this season but were unable to capitalise on any chances despite Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses firing in front of goal.
In an uninspired first half for the home side, Sturridge made an unsuccessful appeal for a penalty after he appeared to have been caught by Lovren in the box.
At half time Rodgers made the tactical change of putting Raheem Sterling on for Iago Aspas, but it was Southampton's Lovren who was successful just after the break, finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute as the striker successfully completed a chest-height header after shaking off Daniel Agger's defensive efforts.
Agger was quickly replaced by Spaniard Jose Enrique after his error with the defender looking to have suffered a knock, but Liverpool continued to be on the backfoot and Simon Mignolet was repeatedly tested, in particular by Luke Shaw.
Jordan Henderson, who failed to clear the line in Lovren's goal, struggled to fill a hole left by the injured Coutinho and as the game came to an end the Reds were left to reflect on their first loss of the season.
But the side won't be focusing only on the negatives, with Luis Suarez set to return to the fray after finishing his suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic towards the end of last season. One of the biggest challenges for the Reds throughout the game was creating opportunities, an issue which Coutinho may have been able to fill, but with Suarez returning the striker will certainly bring Rodgers some relief as he works out his tactics for the upcoming League Cup game against Manchester United.
Stats
Before the match, Liverpool had an average of 48% possession this season while Southampton enjoyed 59%. But during the game the Reds were able to dominate with 56% to Southampton's 44%.
The only two clubs to be undefeated this season in the Premier League before the game were both from Liverpool. Now there's only one still undefeated - Everton.
Liverpool and Southampton created an equal number of chances, though the Saints were able to find the target seven times compared with Liverpool's five. They also had 12 attempts on goal compared with the Reds' 10.
Liverpool have still failed to find the net in the second half this season.
The last time Luis Suarez came back from a long ban Liverpool won just two of their following 12 matches.
Key Quotes
Brendan Rodgers on the match (on BBC Sport): "We are bitterly disappointed and it was one of them days. We were not so good with the ball and, technically, nowhere near the level we have been at.
"The players have been excellent for these last few months and today was an off-day."
On having Luis Suarez back: "That is the positive from today as he has now served his ban and we can bring someone as good as him back."
Mauricio Pochettino on Southampton's win: "We are very pleased, the effort the players put in was amazing. We were up against the leaders and I am delighted.
"Overall, we had an amazing game, especially in the second half. It's really good that one of our defenders got on the scoresheet.
"We are just thinking ahead to the next game and nothing else. I've been in football too many years to be carried away."
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler: "You've got to give Southampton full credit, Liverpool looked as though they really missed Philippe Coutinho, no one really played well but Southampton produced a good workman-like team performance."
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