MANCHESTER (REUTERS) - Liverpool's bid for their first title since the creation of the English Premier League continues on Friday (April 5) at Southampton, whose St Mary's stadium is a familiar place for a number of Juergen Klopp's side.
In recent years Liverpool have spent about £170 million (S$301.4 million) on signing players from the Saints, including key men Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane, both of whom are expected to start the match.
Liverpool raided Southampton heavily in the summer of 2014 when they brought in Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert.
The following year full-back Nathaniel Clyne, currently on loan at Bournemouth, went for £12.5 million and then in 2016 Mane made the move for £34 million. The biggest deal - after a bitter wrangle - was van Dijk's £75 million move last January.
While the Dutchman has transformed Liverpool's defence, Mane's 17 goals this season make him a real threat to the Saints, who are only five points above the relegation zone.
Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand, who played with Mane at the club, knows exactly what to expect from the speedy Senegalese forward.
"He isn't showing any signs of slowing down. I am thoroughly looking forward to it," said Bertrand.
"I've been really impressed with him, I think he has been their main player. I'm sure the other attackers have still produced some fantastic numbers in terms of goals, but I think he has been the one that shines."
Liverpool trail league leaders Manchester City by a point, with Pep Guardiola's side in FA Cup semi-final action against Brighton on Saturday.
Bertrand says that, with the stakes high for both clubs, Friday's clash should be a pulsating encounter.
"It will be a big game. They are fighting to create history and to win the Premier League and we still need the points, so we will also be fighting," he said.
"The better teams are more clinical, more difficult and technically gifted, but at the same time, with that comes more opportunity where they might leave more gaps defensively. You have to take your chances."
The Saints will also have an eye on results elsewhere in the battle against the drop.
Huddersfield Town and Fulham are already relegated, with Cardiff City occupying the final relegation slot in 18th place, five points behind Southampton, Burnley and Brighton.
Though Cardiff do not play this weekend, Burnley visit mid-table Bournemouth while Newcastle United are at Crystal Palace. Newcastle are seven points clear of Cardiff but yet to secure safety.
In the battle for Champions League qualification, meanwhile, fourth-placed Arsenal and fifth-placed Chelsea are level on 63 points.
Arsenal have a tricky trip to Everton on Sunday and Chelsea are at home to West Ham on Monday.
Brazilian soccer great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone on Saturday, doctors in Sao Paulo said. Pele had the surgery at the Israelite Albert Einstein hospital. "The procedure was a success and the patient is back in his room," a brief statement from doctors said.
Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation - ewn.co.za
Five things we learnt from the Premier League this weekend
Football: Singapore national team caretaker coach Nazri Nasir proud despite loss Zulfahmi Arifin earned praise from caretaker coach Nazri Nasir for sending his free kick into the top corner for
Latest SINGAPORE FOOTBALL | The Straits Times
Manchester are United again: Players looking relaxed, fans dancing, and the goals and football are flowing under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United appeared to be together once
Man United all goals under ole solskjaer - YouTube
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been fined £45,000 over comments he made regarding referee Kevin Friend following his side's draw with West Ham, the Football Association has confirmed
Jurgen Klopp fined $83,000 AUD over referee comments
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Southampton - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - March 30, 2019 Southampton's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scores their f
Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton
Report Ad
Check Out Career Tops on eBay. Fill Your Cart With Color Today!
Football: PSG thrash Dijon in first outing since Champions
Gotze predicts Borussia Dortmund success in Champions League despite 'very difficult' group. Borussia Dortmund did not make it through the Champions League group stage last term, but Mario Gotze
Bundesliga: Gotze predicts Borussia Dortmund success in
Football: Eden Hazard's supporting cast must step up to liberate Belgian and match City's match-winners. Feb 8, 2019, 11:15 pm Quick Foxes could ambush Pep's men. Dec 25, 2018, 5:00 am. premium.
ValpoAthletics.com - Valpo Football Adds 12 to Recruiting Class
Football: Fandi Ahmad rues missed chances in U-22s' 1-1 draw with Hong Kong in opening AFC Under-23 qualifier Singapore's Young Lions training at the Geylang field on Feb 25, 2019. ST PHOTO
Fandi rues missed chances in 1-1 draw - theworldnews.net
Madrid set to be Hazard's new home BAKU • Eden Hazard helped make it a night to celebrate for Chelsea in Baku, but the Belgian's confirmation that it was almost certainly his last game for the club opened the way to a summer of uncertainty at Stamford Bridge.
Madrid set to be Hazard's new home - Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/sports/madrid-set-to-be-hazards-new-home/
BAKU • Eden Hazard helped make it a night to celebrate for Chelsea in Baku, but the Belgian's confirmation that it was almost certainly his last game for the club opened the way to a summer of uncertainty at Stamford Bridge. Hazard scored twice, including a penalty, and set up another goal for Pedro Rodriguez […]
Real Madrid set to unveil Hazard at the Bernabeu on Monday
(Reuters) - Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is eligible to play in Thursday's Europa League last 16 second-leg clash against Rennes after his three-match ban was reduced to two games, UEFA said on
Lacazette free to face Rennes as UEFA cuts ban - eurosport.com
PSG take charge with 2-0 win at Manchester United, Paul Pogba sent off Kylian Mbappe and Presnel Kimpembe scored with assists from Angel Di Maria as Paris St Germain beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Football: PSG take charge with 2-0 win at United, Pogba sent off
de Gea: Manchester United keeper gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dilemma
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said all the right things afterwards. He still "trusts" De Gea. No-one should "blame him" for dropping points. "David has been unbelievable for this club," said the Norwegian. "We support each other. There is no chance anyone can blame him for losing points. "He knows he could have had that shot, but that is
0 comments:
Post a Comment