Five questions that should be answered by Sunday afternoon’s match.
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Liverpool host Southampton on Sunday afternoon, with Brendan Rodgers’ side looking to kick off their Premier League season with three points against Ronald Koeman’s men.
The two clubs have had something of an entangled summer, with Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren all having made the move from St. Mary’s to Anfield, something which adds extra spice to the match-up.
The first game of the season for a team is always intriguing, but these five questions in particular should be answered by this clash:
Can Dejan Lovren steady the defensive ship for Liverpool?
Liverpool’s big defensive signing this summer came from Southampton, in the shape of Croatian international centre back Dejan Lovren, and Sunday’s match will be the first chance to see whether the former Lyon man will have the desire galvanising effect on a defence that struggled last season. It will also be interesting to see whether Brendan Rodgers partners him with Martin Skrtel or Mamadou Sakho.
Will Brendan Rodgers stick with the diamond?
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers found success last season with a 4-4-2 diamond formation, designed to get the best out of Luis Suarez – but will he stick with it now that their top scorer has departed for Barcelona? Doing so would probably mean starting Rickie Lambert in attack alongside Daniel Sturridge, which would be a surprise, whilst the arrival of new attacking midfielders such as Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic probably hints at a possible change in shape.
What kind of reception will the former Saints get?
Attacking midfielder Adam Lallana looks certain to miss out through injury, but Southampton are set to come up against two former players at Anfield, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert, so how will they react? Lambert is likely to receive a heroes reception after the fine service that he gave to the Saints, but things could be slightly more frosty for Lovren from the away fans, with the Croatian’s move to Anfield having been a protracted and bitter affair.
Will Glen Johnson play?
England international right back Glen Johnson was regularly criticised by fans and pundits for his lack of defensive awareness last season, so will Brendan Rodgers choose to stick with the former Chelsea man now that he has genuine alternatives available? Young Jon Flanagan, who impressed with his performances out of position on the left last season, and young Atletico Madrid loanee Javier Manquillo could both be selected ahead of Johnson.
Will Koeman have changed the Saints?
Ronald Koeman has taken over from Mauricio Pochettino with the Southampton squad looking like one that is in flux, so it will intriguing to see what changes the Dutchman has made to the high pressing style that was adopted under the former boss. The signings of Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic are exciting ones and will look to continue the Saints’ impressive attacking prowess from last season, whilst Koeman will also be looking for the defensive stability that characterised the start of Southampton’s campaign.
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