Southampton vs Liverpool: Five classic matches

One of the standout Premier League fixtures this weekend takes place at St Mary’s as Southampton play hosts to Liverpool.

The visitors are currently top of the table and have netted 30 goals in their 11 matches so far this term, including six against Watford at Anfield last time out.

With no European football to contend with, Jurgen Klopp will be looking to lead the Merseyside outfit to their first-ever Premier League title, and they’ve certainly made a positive start to the season.

Meanwhile, it has been a solid start to the campaign for Saints, who lie in the top half of the table on goal difference.

A disappointing defeat to a lowly Hull side before the international break was a blow, but Claude Puel’s men are strong at home – and of course the match takes on added significance as a number of Liverpool players used to ply their trade on the south coast.

Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane, Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren could all start at St Mary’s on Saturday, and the former duo have been in particularly impressive form this term.

Ahead of the big game, Football FanCast have taken a look at five classic encounters between the two teams.

Liverpool 7-1 Southampton (January 16, 1999)

This is one that Liverpool fans will remember, and Southampton supporters will have tried to forget.

Saints headed to Anfield in good spirits after recording a win there the previous season, but there was not to be a repeat on a miserable January day on Merseyside.

Robbie Fowler scored a hat-trick for the Reds while there were also goals for Dominic Matteo, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and David Thompson – with Egil Ostenstad netting the consolation for the visitors.

Southampton 3-2 Liverpool (March 20, 2016)

The most recent fixture between the two sides was also one of the most exciting.

First half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge looked set to give Liverpool a routine three points, but the last half an hour proved to be the Sadio Mane show.

Despite missing a penalty, the second half substitute scored the first before Graziano Pelle netted the second. With four minutes to go, Mane scored the winner to complete a remarkable turnaround.

Jurgen Klopp was so impressed by the performance that he signed the Senegal international for £34m during the summer.

Southampton 1-6 Liverpool (December 2, 2015)

Southampton would have had high hopes of reaching the latter stages of the League Cup when they played hosts to Liverpool, and Sadio Mane got them off to a perfect start with a goal in the first minute.

However, it went downhill from there for the Saints as a Daniel Sturridge brace and a Divock Origi goal gave the visitors a comfortable half-time lead.

Origi then completed his hat-trick in the second half, with Jordon Ibe adding another to secure a remarkable result at St Mary’s.

Southampton 3-3 Liverpool (August 26, 2000)

This was a brilliant six-goal thriller at The Dell, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story.

The hosts found themselves 3-0 down with 17 minutes left to play following a brace from Michael Owen and a Sami Hyypia goal, but then staged a magnificent comeback.

Marian Pahars netted in the 73rd minute, before Tahar El-Khalej gave Saints fans hope that their side could snatch a draw with a goal five minutes from end.

And they weren’t done there. Pahars scored a 90th minute equaliser to send The Dell faithful into raptures and claim a famous point.

Liverpool 2-3 Southampton (February 7, 1998)

Liverpool would have been the overwhelming favourites when Southampton made the trip to northwest, as they were second in the Premier League table and just four points behind leaders Manchester United.

However, the match defied the form guide and a David Hirst penalty gave the visitors an eighth-minute lead.

Michael Owen soon equalised but when Egil Ostenstad and Hirst both scored in the final five minutes, Owen’s second goal proved to be a consolation and the three points went back to the south coast.