Liverpool will travel to St. Mary’s on Sunday, knowing that last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Anfield with Aston Villa ended their outside chances of finishing inside the top four. This will render the clash against relegated Southampton on Sunday at 15:30 GMT largely ceremonial for both teams.
The basement club, Southampton, will have their planning and attention shifting to the Championship and what it will take for them to gain promotion to the Premier League again.
Tottenham will rue missed chances of making it into the Champions League; they will also be gazing toward a summer of rebuilding ahead of next season.
Key Highlights
Southampton Playing for Pride
Ruben Selles and his Saints charges have nothing to play for except their pride as they prepare for life in the Championship next season.
The bottom club, by 7 points, have been well off their usual pace this season. An internal accounting will certainly examine what went wrong with the Saints this season while plotting an immediate return at the end of next season.
However, Ruben Selles will be aware that his side have been in terrible form in recent matches. The Saints have lost all five of their last five outings, revealing little fight within the squad and an acceptance of their fate.
Southampton will look to secure a win to set the stage for them mounting a comeback next season in the Championship. Therefore, a win will lift spirits and give the fans some hope that their side have the quality and character to gain promotion immediately.
Bet hereLiverpool’s Season of Missed Chances
Jurgen Klopp will rue the fact that his side did not kick into gear early enough to give them a chance of making it into the top four.
As it turns out, they hit their good run of form too late, leaving themselves precious few matches to turn their season around.
However, they have still managed to make their way up the table from midtable to currently sitting in 5th, with the Europa League competition awaiting them next season.
The 1-1 draw at Anfield last weekend was damaging because it gave Man United and Newcastle some breathing space, allowing the Magpies to seal qualification already.
Jurgen Klopp will focus on the positives heading into the final match against Southampton and will look for his side to make a statement at the end, leaving them in good shape for next season.
Injury Report
Southampton
Ruben Selles will be without left-back Juan Larios in the clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
The 19-year-old fullback is sidelined with an unknown injury, and has missed 31 matches for the Saints.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will be without three players ahead of their match against Southampton at St. Mary’s.
Right-back Calvin Ramsay is sidelined with a knee injury that needed surgery. The 19-year-old fullback has been out of action since February 16, 2023, missing 19 matches for the Reds.
Defensive midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is also unavailable for selection in the trip to St. Mary’s because of a tear in the abductor muscle. The 18-year-old suffered the injury on March 13, 2023, and has missed 13 matches for Liverpool.
Center-forward Darwin Nunez is also out with a toe injury. The 23-year-old has missed 2 Liverpool matches so far.
Possible Lineups
Southampton
A. McCarthy; K. Walker-Peters, Lyanco, J. Bednarek, J. Bree; R. Lavia; M. Elyounoussi, C. Alcaraz, J. Ward-Prowse, T. Walcott; J. Aribo
Liverpool
Alisson; T. Alexander-Arnold, I. Konate, V. van Dijk, A. Robertson; C. Jones, Fabinho, J. Henderson; M. Salah, C. Gakpo, L. Diaz
Prediction
Southampton will look to play positive expressive football to give the fans something to cheer. They will focus on upping their tempo and energy levels to make it difficult for Liverpool.
Liverpool will look to dominate the match and set the tempo of the clash by dominating the midfield and pressing high up the pitch.
Liverpool will win the match and end the season on a high note.
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