Southampton v Liverpool: Klopp's side to keep slim title hopes alive

Simon Mail
16 May 2022
4:00 min read

Jurgen Klopp's side won the FA Cup on Saturday at Wembley

Southampton vs Liverpool
Tue 17 May, 19:45

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Southampton host Liverpool on Tuesday night and Simon Mail is backing Jurgen Klopp's side to remain with a chance of winning the title...

"Liverpool have kept 21 clean sheets in the league this season and there is every chance of another shut out in a win at Southampton."

Saints' season ending limply

Southampton's season is ending poorly and there could be more unrest in the stands with Liverpool the visitors on Tuesday night. Ralph Hasenhuttl was on the receiving end of abuse from the club's fans during their 3-0 defeat to Brentford in their last game.

It continued a poor series of results in recent months from the Saints. Southampton have dropped down to 15th in the Premier League, after a run of just one victory in their last 10 matches. Three defeats in their last four games highlights a team seemingly ready for the season to draw to a close.

Liverpool land Wembley double

Liverpool still have an outside chance of winning the quadruple after edging to victory over Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp's relentless team completed a Wembley double with a tense triumph after a goalless 120 minutes. Although the players will be exhausted, the euphoria and momentum from more silverware will renergise them for this short turnaround.

Klopp will rotate his squad and there are injury doubts over Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk following their FA Cup success.

Liverpool are though blessed with an outstanding squad and this has enabled them to contend on all four fronts with the Champions League final still to come in Paris.

A 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Tuesday kept their hopes alive of overhauling leaders Manchester City although they still need significant help to win the title.

Southampton

Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur 4 1 Southampton
Leicester City 4 1 Southampton
Southampton 1 2 Liverpool
Brentford 3 0 Southampton
Southampton 1 2 Crystal Palace
Brighton and Hove Albion 2 2 Southampton

Fulham 2 2 Liverpool
Liverpool 0 1 Real Madrid
Liverpool 3 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Southampton 1 2 Liverpool
Chelsea 0 0 Liverpool
Aston Villa 1 2 Liverpool

Southampton vs Liverpool Tuesday 17 May, 19:45

Full stats

Reds short odds for victory

Liverpool have every right to be 1.548/15 favourites to claim victory over the ailing Saints. The Reds are unbeaten in the league since December and have won 14 of their last 16 matches in the competition. It is hard to bet against Liverpool in this form against a team waiting for the season to end.

Southampton's form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks and it is hard to have any confidence in them at odds of 6.25/1. The Saints have lost eight of their last nine games against Liverpool and do not look in any position to upset their outstanding opponents.

The draw can be backed at 4.1 but this again requires a leap of faith in the struggling hosts. Freshness is the only thing in their favour but Liverpool's intensity and will to win should overcome any Wembley fatigue. The visitors are strongly fancied to clinch another victory but other markets are preferred on value grounds.

Liverpool to shut out Saints

Liverpool have kept 21 clean sheets in the league this season and there is every chance of another shut out in a win at Southampton.

Eight of their last nine victories in the competition have included a clean sheet.

Southampton are unlikely to present a major test to them and a Liverpool win to nil stands out at 21/10.

There are other options which also appeal with Betfair's Bet Builder worth considering. Backing Liverpool to win and Sadio Mane to score increases the odds to 2.48. Mane has scored eight goals in his last 12 matches for Klopp's side.

Opta Stat

Salah has been involved in 10 goals in nine Premier League games against Southampton (seven goals, three assists), averaging a goal or assist every 79 minutes against them.

Follow Simon's bets on Twitter @watfordtipster