Sunday sees backside host high within the Premier League, however do Southampton followers have any religion in sealing a shock win over Liverpool?
After a two-week break, the Reds are again in motion this weekend, seeking to proceed their near-perfect begin to the season.
Southampton welcome Arne Slot‘s aspect to St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon, with the hosts having solely received as soon as within the league in 2024/25.
Forward of kickoff, This Is Anfield spoke with Southampton fan and author Luke Osman (@lukeosman_) to debate Russell Martin’s future, Slot’s impression at Liverpool and extra.
How joyful are you with Southampton’s season so far?
It’s laborious to say it’s been something aside from brutal.
Southampton have had one of many ‘simpler’ runs of fixtures to begin the season off and we’ve been largely fairly dire.
We’re restricted going ahead, leaking defensively regardless of good particular person performances again there, and are too gradual between the bins.
We’re the place we need to be, regardless of some questionable refereeing alongside the best way, and it’s trying bleak.
What has Martin bought proper and unsuitable again within the Premier League?
I’d say one thing Russell Martin has bought proper is giving Tyler Dibling ample alternative within the Premier League.
He’s an 18-year-old academy graduate and he’s a star – he’s one among our greatest gamers already and this has been a breakthrough season for him.
Aside from that, I wouldn’t say Martin’s bought a lot else proper.
The ways have been naive at finest, and you’ll forgive that given he’s new to the league, however there’s no willingness to adapt nor admit that it’s not labored, which is why so many followers have understandably turned on him.
4 factors from a doable 33 isn’t acceptable at any time, not to mention when you think about we’ve performed Leicester, Everton, Ipswich and Wolves already, with three being at dwelling.
Is it time for a change of supervisor?
I feel so. There was a component of fortune in our solely win of the season in opposition to Everton, and to be frank, it’s laborious to see the place one other win comes from.
It’s simple to say now with a big portion of the season forward, however I feel Derby’s factors report could possibly be beneath menace!
My view is that we’re one hundred pc down with Martin in cost, such is his perception – and conceitedness, fairly merely – that no adaptation is important.
But when we twist and go for brand spanking new blood, there’s on the very least some hope that we don’t succumb to humiliation each single week, which has been the case thus far.
Who’ve been Saints’ finest gamers? Who has struggled?
Dibling’s been nice. Mateus Fernandes has checked out dwelling within the Premier League since his transfer from Sporting in the summertime, and Aaron Ramsdale is a category act.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis was effectively value his England call-up, too.
By way of those that has struggled, I must say the vast majority of the attacking gamers.
Cameron Archer’s accomplished effectively with restricted service, however the likes of Ryan Fraser, Maxwel Cornet and Ben Brereton Diaz have been fairly horrible.
What are your ideas on Arne Slot thus far?
Arne Slot looks like a category act.
I feel Liverpool are higher to observe this season than their remaining couple of years beneath Jurgen Klopp.
Slot is getting a tune out of gamers who had beforehand been a bit inconsistent like Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
He has surpassed my expectations for certain.
How do you assess Liverpool’s title possibilities?
They’re positively contenders. I give them extra of an opportunity than Arsenal, because the desk suggests, which I wouldn’t have predicted firstly of the season.
I nonetheless suppose Man Metropolis will pull by means of as their key males return, although, however that does hinge on Erling Haaland staying match and sharp.
He’s already trying a little bit jaded.
I reckon Metropolis edge it, however it is going to be shut between them and Liverpool.
The place will the important thing battles happen on Sunday?
I don’t actually suppose we have now a hope of competing wherever on the pitch, actually.
I want to see Dibling go at Andy Robertson however that’s provided that Martin decides to begin him, which he hasn’t within the final couple of video games.
Liverpool ought to have pleasure in every single place, and with Alex McCarthy possible in for Ramsdale, and Jan Bednarek additionally out, they are going to have numerous possibilities to attain.
Lastly, what’s your prediction?
I’ll go together with a considerably reserved Southampton 0-3 Liverpool. When you fancy it, you may simply flip it right into a pummelling.
I feel after the worldwide break and with Actual Madrid and Metropolis arising for them, they’ll go a few targets forward and take their foot off the gasoline a little bit.
