Jurgen Klopp is still searching for his first win as Liverpool manager.
Christian Benteke’s header looked like giving Klopp’s side a much-needed three points, but Sadio Mane’s late equaliser pegged Liverpool back in a game that was devoid of quality for large spells.
Here’s how we rated the players:
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 6
Made a decent stop from a Virgil van Dijk header, the Belgian was caught scrambling for Southampton’s equaliser.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6
The England defender recovered well late in the game, winning back possession for his side.
Martin Skrtel – 6
Skrtel was solid throughout, but was arguably caught napping for Southampton’s equaliser.
Mamadou Sakho – 5
The French defender played well against Rubin Kazan mid-week, but had a very shaky first-half performance. Sakho misplaced a number of passes and looked jittery throughout.
He was all at sea for Southampton’s late goal.
Alberto Moreno – 6
Three times Moreno got into a threatening position in the second-half, and three times the full-back delivered a poor final ball.
Otherwise, the Spaniard offered Liverpool an attacking outlet, and made a brilliant last-ditch challenge on Mane in the second-half.
Emre Can – 7
The German has been restored to his natural position by Klopp, and on today’s performance it’s easy to see why. Can was useful in possession and looks capable of striking up a midfield partnership with Lucas.
Lucas – 8
Liverpool’s best player in the first-half, Lucas should be an automatic starter ahead of Joe Allen for the foreseeable future. The Brazilian completed 41 of his 46 passes, won five tackles, completed two interceptions and even created a chance for his side.
An impressive performance from the midfielder.
James Milner – 7
Full of running and effort, as always, Milner showed his quality though with a great cross for Liverpool’s winner, but won’t be happy having conceded the free-kick that led to Southampton’s goal.
Adam Lallana – 5
Three games in eight days looked to take their toll on Lallana, who seemed jaded from the start. The midfielder was unnecessarily caught offside twice in the first half, the latter because he simply didn’t seem to have the energy to run back into position.
Lallana’s usually reliable touch also let him down when he was played through from a lovely Coutinho pass, and he was generally pushed off the ball with relative ease.
Philipe Coutinho – 5
The Brazilian was sloppy in possession at times, and failed to make an impact worthy of his considerable talent. Coutinho has been linked with a move to Barcelona, but it’s difficult to see why based on his performance today.
Southampton’s midfield pushed the 23 year old off the ball with ease at times and was, too often, a passenger for Liverpool.
Divock Origi – 4
Origi, in the first-half, had 12 touches of the ball, fewer than either goalkeeper. A complete non-entity, the Belgian is eager but looks incapable of being a centre-forward for a team with any realistic aims of playing in the Champions League.
Subs:
Christian Benteke – 7
A fantastic header from the big Belgian.
Roberto Firmino – 6
Made little impact, other than winning a late corner, which was then wasted.
Jordan Ibe –
Not on long enough to rate.
Southampton
Maarten Stekelenburg – 6
Largely untested and could do little about Benteke’s header.
Cedric Soares – 7
Performed well as part of a solid Southampton defence, Cedric won all of his tackles, completed a number of interceptions and offered a threat from crosses when he did get forward.
Jose Fonte – 7
A mostly solid from Saints’ captain. Fonte got the better of Liverpool’s forwards in almost all of his aerial duals, was strong in the tackle and could’ve set up a goal, when his header from a corner was cleared before Mane could knock it in.
Benteke got away from the defender late in the second half for Liverpool’s goal, which looked like ruining an otherwise positive performance for Fonte, but the defender saved face by playing a part in Saints’ equaliser.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
The former Celtic defender has made a seamless transition to Premier League.
Ryan Bertrand – 6
A solid performance from the left-back, Bertrand offered cover for his central defenders and looked comfortable throughout.
Steven Davis – 6
Worked hard, and created a chance for Mane with a beautiful deft pass.
Jordy Clasie – 6
A solid display from the Dutchman.
Victor Wanyama – 7
Won the midfield battle, Wanyama offered protection for Southampton’s defence and did well when in possession.
Sadio Mane – 7
Mane is almost as dangerous without the ball as when he’s in possession. The Southampton number 10 was a nuisance throughout but particularly in the first-half. Mane won the ball back from both Lucas and Coutinho, stood up to the physical challenge from the Reds and offered his side a threat on the counter-attack.
It’s not surprising that the player has been linked with a move to a Champions League side and Mane showed great instincts to get Saints’ leveller, but was needlessly sent-off.
Dusan Tadic – 5
Linked up well with Pelle at times, and delivered some threatening crosses but lost the ball a number of times.
Graziano Pelle – 5
A quiet afternoon for the centre-forward. Pelle won a number of aerial challenges but was sloppy in possession and failed to have a effort on target.
Subs:
Juanmi – 5
Made little impact.
James Ward-Prowse – 6
Delivered the cross that led to Saints’ equaliser.
Gaston Ramirez – 6
Set up Southampton’s equaliser.
