First game since the international break and Liverpool were hoping to build on the 6-1 demolition of Watford at Anfield. Southampton had other ideas as Puel's men dug deep and held out a 0-0 against a typically rampant Liverpool side. Whilst the script was Liverpool attack and Southampton defend, there was no cause of concern for either side and nothing but positives for both.
Van Dijk to the rescue
Despite playing at home, Southampton sat deep and defended well to frustrate a Liverpool side with the current best attack in the league. Some familiar faces returned to St.
Mary's as Liverpool fielded 3 ex-Southampton players in Lovren, Clyne and Mane with Lallana ruled out with an injury picked up during the international break. The game had a repetitive feel, #Liverpool attack and then Southampton clear and this was repeated until the final whistle.
Claude Puel set up his side well to defend and secure a well deserved point as Liverpool missed numerous chances to win the game. The most notable was Van Dijk's contribution to the cause, a player recently linked with Manchester United, the Dutchman continuously rescued The Saints. The Dutchman showed great pace to keep former teammate Sadio Mane at bay when Liverpool's attack looked the most threatening. It was all positives for Southampton as they managed to keep the league's most potent attack at bay and keep a clean sheet.
They will be able to approach any game against the top six sides with confidence following this draw as Saturday proved that their defence can handle the most dangerous of attacking forces. With only their attack needing work to make Southampton a dangerous side.
Not Liverpool's day
Southampton did everything in their power to stop Liverpool and they succeeded, misses from Coutinho, Firmino and Mane preventing The Reds taking all three points at St.
Marys to remain top of the league. Despite Chelsea taking the top spot there is no need for panic from the fans as Klopp knows what he is doing. Klopp has accepted that his teams new brand of exciting attacking Football has changed the way in which teams will set up against them "a lot of teams play like this against us, we cannot change what they do.
We are a team to stop unfortunately". Southampton didn't manage a single shot on target as their primary concern was to stop the attack of their opposition but praise can't be taken away from the performance of Matip. The centre-back is proving to be one of the coups of the summer transfer window and becoming a smart purchase. Whilst Matip and co kept things quiet at the back, Klopp brought on #Sturridge with 12 minutes to go keen to get all three points but it turned out to just be one of those days for The Reds.
Their desire to attack right up until the final whistle acts as a reminder to Liverpool fans that not all games can be won and there is no cause for concern. Liverpool have now extended their unbeaten run to 13 games and whilst it will feel more like 2 points dropped than 1 point gained, coming away with a point is better than the 3-2 defeat suffered last season at the hands of new number 19 Mane. There is still more to come from this Liverpool side.
