LIVERPOOL host Southampton on Saturday night in the Premier League. Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his favourite fancies.
Liverpool vs Southampton | Saturday 8th May 2021, 20:15 | Sky Sports
Liverpool’s improbable Champions League chances were given a boost with the news of Leicester losing – while conceding four – against Newcastle on Friday night. Manchester United aside, Liverpool have quite a decent run of fixtures to end the season but manager Jurgen Klopp knows that they must win every remaining league game if they are to have a chance of securing a top four spot this term.
In their last game against Newcastle, Liverpool drew 1-1 despite every conceivable stat suggesting that they should have won by a two goal margin and I am going with a couple of picks that will defy the 90 minute result logic, based on Liverpool results since Christmas.
Since Christmas Day, Liverpool have played 10 games at Anfield and won just won, while drawing three and losing six. This comes after a four-year unbeaten record and while I am certain their were some fortunate draws or victories in that run, there is no doubt that Liverpool have been unlucky in recent times at home.
Despite having more shots on target than their opponents (44-43) in that ten game run, Liverpool have scored just five goals and conceded 13 and there is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp knows his side are not as bad as recent results suggest.
I honestly feel that Southampton offer them the perfect opponent to reclaim some form and confidence. Since The Saints beats Liverpool 1-0 on 4th January, the Hampshire side have won just two of 16 league games – against Sheffield United and Burnley – and taken a few hammerings, including a 9-0 loss against Manchester United and two three nil losses to Leeds and West Bromwich Albion.
Whenever I watch Southampton I think they are hugely lacking at pace at the back and with Ryan Bertrand injured, the idea of Jack Stephens up against Mo Salah would concern me enormously if I was of a Saints persuasion.
The results of the last three games between these two sides at Anfield read 3-0, 3-0 and 4-0 so I am going to ignore recent results (something I recommend to many of you) and back Liverpool in the -1.5 and -2.5 markets.
Liverpool -1.5 is 43/50 with Bet365 while -2.5 is 21/10 with Unibet. Both are worth a few pennies in my view.
Best Bets
Liverpool vs Southampton – Liverpool -1.5 Asian Handicap (43/50 Bet365)
Liverpool vs Southampton – Liverpool -2.5 Asian Handicap (21/10 Unibet)
