Liverpool v Southampton preview: Adam Lallana fit again after layoff

Liverpool will be looking to protect their unbeaten home record this season against Southampton on Saturday.

Only Manchester City (16), Manchester United and Arsenal (both 15) have taken more points at home this season than Liverpool, who beat Huddersfield 3-0 in their last game at Anfield in the Premier League.

Mauricio Pellegrino has endured an underwhelming start to life at Southampton, recording three wins, four draws and four defeats, scoring just nine goals in that period.

Despite the negative numbers, Saints have had the fifth most shots and created the fifth most chances this season, but have had the most shots off target.

Team news

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a virtually fully-fit squad to select from for the visit of Southampton.

Adam Lallana is fit again after a three-month layoff with a thigh injury while fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson has recovered from a similar problem which forced him to miss their last Premier League match and England's two friendlies.

Forward Sadio Mane has trained after reporting a slight hamstring problem on his return from international duty and Klopp will make a late decision on his availability.

Mario Lemina is set to be Southampton's only absentee.

The former Juventus midfielder remains sidelined with an ankle injury which has kept him out of the last two matches.

Northern Ireland's Steven Davis, Republic of Ireland's Shane Long and Italy's Manolo Gabbiadini are all available despite failing to qualify for next summer's World Cup.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Opta stats

• These two sides met four times in all competitions last season with Liverpool failing to win and score in all four contests (W0 D2 L2). Indeed, it was only the second time in their history that Liverpool had failed to score against a side on four occasions in a single season (also vs Leeds in 1971-72).
• Southampton are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions against Liverpool; they have never gone six in a row without defeat (W3 D2 L0).
• Southampton have won the same number of points after 11 games this season as they did under Claude Puel in 2016-17 (13).
• Liverpool have conceded 30 goals via set-pieces in the Premier League since Jurgen Klopp took charge in October 2015 - only Watford (36), Stoke (32) and Crystal Palace (31) have conceded more.
• However, only Kenny Dalglish (1.68) has a lower points-per-game ratio for Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League than Jurgen Klopp (1.97).
• Jurgen Klopp has yet to beat Southampton in the Premier League, drawing three of his four matches as Liverpool boss (W0 D3 L1) - no side has he faced more without winning (also 4 v Man Utd).

Paul Merson's prediction

Southampton will just sit back and defend. Southampton beat them over two legs last year [in the League Cup semi-finals] and done well in the second leg at Anfield when [Shane] Long scored.

But I am going to go for Liverpool, Southampton will sit back - if Liverpool score early, it could be more, but I think they find it very difficult to break teams down.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Betting

Sky Bet price Liverpool at 2/5 this weekend for a home win over Southampton, who are 13/2 to cause an upset, while the draw comes at 19/5. Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino lead the first goal-scorer market, both priced at 7/2, with Manolo Gabbiadini is 17/2 to break the deadlock for the visitors.

Liverpool vs Southampton is included in this weekend's Super 6 round, with £250,000 up for grabs again. Enter your predictions for free here.

Play Super 6

Simply predict six correct scores to win the £250k jackpot. Enter your selections for free here.