Liverpool have been impressive of late, knocking Manchester United out of the Europa League, and not having lost a single game after their loss to Manchester City in the League Cup final. With such record, Liverpool go in as favourites Sunday to defeat Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, but the Reds cannot be complacent as the home team have the ammunition to get past them.
Liverpool might have been below par in the early part of the season, but they have improved ever since Jurgen Klopp took over as manager in October 2015. Liverpool are in the ninth place, but are still looking to clinch that fourth spot, which can help them secure a Champions League berth.
A fourth-place finish may be a major objective for this season, but Liverpool will have to focus on Southampton, and defeat them. Coutinho, who scored a brilliant goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week, knows they need to play some brilliant football from here till the end of the season to achieve top four.
"We know that we did not do very well at the beginning of the league, but we can have a good finish and achieve our objective, to be in the top four. We have that opportunity, we know that, so we think that every game is a final. We have to focus on every game. It does not matter who the opponent is or if we play home or away." Liverpool's official website quoted Coutinho as saying.
"We have to always do our best and be at 100 per cent to reach our objectives at the end of the league. We will surely give our very best, like we always do, because if we want to achieve our objectives in the Premier League we still have to win many games."
Liverpool will be without one of their key attacking players, Roberto Firmino, against Southampton: The Brazilian has injured his hamstring. Despite his absence, Liverpool have some quality players like Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho to take care of the offensive front.
Southampton, on the other hand, have a fit squad, and their manager Ronald Koeman has a huge field of players to choose from. Key players Jose Fonte and Victor Wanyama are also expected to feature against Liverpool after the duo served their suspension for their respective red cards.
The home team will ask frontmen Graziano Pelle and Shane Long to shoulder the responsibility and help Southampton emerge victorious. The home team will also think of revenge after their embarrassing loss to Liverpool in the League Cup. Southampton lost the game 6-1.
Sadi Mane, who scored against Liverpool during the game, is another star for Southampton. The offensive player has been disappointing in 2016, and is desperate to get back to form.
"If you look at the last few months, for me it was not so good. It's football and it can happen, but I'm working hard in training every day. I will give my best to find my form again and to help the team and the club." Mane was quoted as saying in a video.
Southampton are eighth in the EPL standings, but their form of late has been below satisfactory. They have won only one game in their last four EPL matches. They have suffered losses against Bournemouth as well.
However, their last win against Stoke City should inspire them to win back-to-back matches in the EPL. Victory for Southampton can take them to seventh place in the EPL standings.
Where to watch live
Southampton vs Liverpool EPL game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. GMT (8:30 a.m. ET, 7 p.m. IST) start. Live TV coverage of the Southampton vs Liverpool EPL game in India will be on Star Sports 2/HD,while the match can also be watched via live streaming online on Hotstar and Starsports.com.
Southampton vs Liverpool EPL game will be not be shown live in the UK.
NBC Sports Network will broadcast the Southampton vs Liverpool EPL game in the US, while the action can also be live streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra.
Australia viewers can watch Southampton vs Liverpool EPL gameon Fox Sports 1, while the online live streaming options are on Fox Sports On Demand and Foxtel Play.
