Liverpool 0-1 Southampton: Lovren’s header gives Saints shock win
AP
Southampton were the only team to beat Liverpool in 2013… so just for good measure they did it again at Anfield on Saturday.
In the biggest shock of the day, Southampton won 1-0 against the current league leaders to hand Brendan Rodgers‘ team their first loss of the 2013-14 campaign.
Following a lackluster display from Liverpool, the Saints grabbed all three points at Anfield courtesy of a second half header from defender Dejan Lovren. The Croatian international headed home Adam Lallana‘s corner in the 54th minute to send the away fans into delirium.
After the game’s opener, Liverpool tried to force issue and get in behind Southampton’s defense, but Mauricio Pochettino‘s men held firm to seal the biggest win of his managerial career in the Premier League so far. It was Liverpool’s first defeat in 13, since they lost 3-1 to Southampton at St. Mary’s back in March.
Early on, Liverpool pushed Saints back and controlled proceedings without really testing Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc, as an early shot from Jordan Henderson went straight at Saints’ ‘keeper after a good move down Liverpool’s right hand side.
But soon after Boruc was forced into making a tremendous sprawling save to his right, from Steven Gerrard‘s free kick in the 20th minute, to keep the score levels. Gerrard bent the ball up and over the wall and Bourc got a strong hand to it to keep out the Liverpool captain.
Southampton impressed as half time arrived, but Rickie Lambert’s left-foot volley went wide and Liverpool’s makeshift defense of Mamadou Sakho at left back was struggling to control a lively Saints attack.
Moments later came another terrific save from Boruc on 36 minutes, as the Polish ‘keeper managed to throw himself at the feet of the onrushing Victor Moses and tipped the ball wide for a corner.
As half time approached, the home side began to assert their dominance but it was 0-0 at the break, with both teams yet to have any clear cut chances. At half time Liverpool brought on Rahem Sterling for Iago Aspas, as they aimed to score in the second half for the first time this season.
But it was the visitors who looked most likely, and on 47 minutes Southampton pressed high up the field and forced Simon Mignolet into several mistakes that almost proved costly. And soon after the pivotal moment came, as Lovren headed home. The Croatian defender did superbly to hold off his marker and head towards goal, and Gerrard’s despairing dive on the goal line couldn’t stop the ball going in.
Southampton came so close to adding a second goal soon after, as Luke Shaw surged forward from left back and took on three players before Mignolet somehow smothered his shot, and clawed away the rebound from the onrushing Steven Davis.
And as the game closed out, Liverpool were frustrated by Southampton and hardly looked like grabbing an equalizer, in what was an off day for Rodgers’ side.
The win see the Saints move up to fifth, while Liverpool remain top but could lose their place at the summit if any of Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City or Manchester United win on Sunday.
LINEUPS
Liverpool: Mignolet, Toure, Sakho, Skrtel, (Alberto 72) Agger (Jose Enrique 57), Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard (c), Aspas, (Sterling 46) Sturridge, Moses.
Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Lallana (Ward-Prowse 76), Rodriguez (Cork 89), Lambert (S. Davis 66), Osvaldo
In the biggest shock of the day, Southampton won 1-0 against the current league leaders to hand Brendan Rodgers‘ team their first loss of the 2013-14 campaign.
Following a lackluster display from Liverpool, the Saints grabbed all three points at Anfield courtesy of a second half header from defender Dejan Lovren. The Croatian international headed home Adam Lallana‘s corner in the 54th minute to send the away fans into delirium.
After the game’s opener, Liverpool tried to force issue and get in behind Southampton’s defense, but Mauricio Pochettino‘s men held firm to seal the biggest win of his managerial career in the Premier League so far. It was Liverpool’s first defeat in 13, since they lost 3-1 to Southampton at St. Mary’s back in March.
Early on, Liverpool pushed Saints back and controlled proceedings without really testing Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc, as an early shot from Jordan Henderson went straight at Saints’ ‘keeper after a good move down Liverpool’s right hand side.
But soon after Boruc was forced into making a tremendous sprawling save to his right, from Steven Gerrard‘s free kick in the 20th minute, to keep the score levels. Gerrard bent the ball up and over the wall and Bourc got a strong hand to it to keep out the Liverpool captain.
Southampton impressed as half time arrived, but Rickie Lambert’s left-foot volley went wide and Liverpool’s makeshift defense of Mamadou Sakho at left back was struggling to control a lively Saints attack.
It was a hugely disappointing defeat for Steven Gerrard and Liverpool.
As half time approached, the home side began to assert their dominance but it was 0-0 at the break, with both teams yet to have any clear cut chances. At half time Liverpool brought on Rahem Sterling for Iago Aspas, as they aimed to score in the second half for the first time this season.
But it was the visitors who looked most likely, and on 47 minutes Southampton pressed high up the field and forced Simon Mignolet into several mistakes that almost proved costly. And soon after the pivotal moment came, as Lovren headed home. The Croatian defender did superbly to hold off his marker and head towards goal, and Gerrard’s despairing dive on the goal line couldn’t stop the ball going in.
Southampton came so close to adding a second goal soon after, as Luke Shaw surged forward from left back and took on three players before Mignolet somehow smothered his shot, and clawed away the rebound from the onrushing Steven Davis.
And as the game closed out, Liverpool were frustrated by Southampton and hardly looked like grabbing an equalizer, in what was an off day for Rodgers’ side.
The win see the Saints move up to fifth, while Liverpool remain top but could lose their place at the summit if any of Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City or Manchester United win on Sunday.
LINEUPS
Liverpool: Mignolet, Toure, Sakho, Skrtel, (Alberto 72) Agger (Jose Enrique 57), Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard (c), Aspas, (Sterling 46) Sturridge, Moses.
Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Lallana (Ward-Prowse 76), Rodriguez (Cork 89), Lambert (S. Davis 66), Osvaldo
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