Blog by David Douglas (dedlfc)
Pre-match thoughts - Our manager Jurgen Klopp went into his first home league game on the back of a creditable draw away to Spurs and a not so impressive draw at home to Rubin Kazan on Thursday.
Mr Klopp went with the same side that drew with Spurs but had the positive attacking options of Benteke and Firmino on the bench with our young full back Connor Randall for the second league game in a row making the bench.
The game started out quite even with Coutinho, Can and Milner trying to make things happen from midfield. The Christmas tree formation is becoming more established and it looks like Mr Klopp is trying to ensure players are played where they are strongest.
Southampton's Graziano Pelle posed a constant threat up front with his excellent hold up play alongside the pacy striker Mane.
The first third of the game was livened up by a low strike from Milner that went just wide and although we were comfortable in possession, we lacked penetration in the creativity department.
The highlight of the first half for me was a fantastic passionate leaping headed clearance from fans favourite Sakho because it epitomises everything about the player - just wholehearted defending. I really was concerned about the state of the ball afterwards!! That's how supremely dominant the header was.
Half-time analysis
Our defending at set pieces is a continued cause for concern as is the lack of ability to provide the required hold up play from Divock Origi to ensure he can bring other players into the game. A change was required. That change was to bring on Christian Benteke to provide the missing cutting edge.
Benteke at the start of the second half made an immediate impact with a chested knockdown springing the skillful Lallana into offence. We then gained four corners in a row with disappointingly, not one making a clear cut chance.
Both teams cancelled each other out until Benteke does better than any other striker in the Premier League.
With time running out in Klopp's first home league game a beautiful cross by James Milner is put into Benteke and from approximately twelve yards he produces a world class header leaving keeper Stekelenburg no chance of saving. Klopp as is his way celebrated as only he can and he like us must of thought we were on course for a win if we can hold out.
It wasn't to be. Milner gave away a pointless free-kick and from the resulting melee Mane was left unmarked to scramble the equaliser.
Mane after being the Saints hero then becomes a villain of sorts by getting a booking for a reckless foul and then shortly before the full time whistle was sent off for a second yellow card infringement.
Man of the Match - Christian Benteke - Who else? He was the only bright spark in an otherwise drab performance from our boys.
Positives: We are still undefeated under Klopp - Benteke got his first goal since returning from injury. Jurgen Klopp's post match energy after matches has been a great encouragement for fans but we now need the team to start showing the signs that they are learning how to get the wheels in motion to recover from this poor period of results.
Negatives: Once again we were unable to get two goals in a game, we have now had 8 draws in the last 9 games which is not good enough. The lack of clinical precision in front of goal, lack of shots on target and creativity tell the story.
Divock Origi has not been good enough for us so far with him performing like a schoolboy against men. Coutinho has again underperformed for us and has done so since the speculation linking him to Barcelona. We need the real Coutinho to re-appear to help our creativity department to start producing the assists and goals for the team.
Liverpool team: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Milner, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Origi.
Substitutes: Bogdan, Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Firmino, Benteke.
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