Danny Ings On Target As Saints Fall To Liverpool

17th August 2019 - by Southampton FC

Sadio Mané’s brilliant effort in added time at the end of the first half against his former club had the hosts cruelly behind at the break, before Roberto Firmino’s goal on 71 minutes doubled the lead

Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool battles for possession with Stuart Armstrong of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. PHOTO/ GETTY IMAGES

SUMMARY

As they had done at St Mary’s last season, Saints caused some significant problems for Jürgen Klopp’s team, but once again were left to reflect on what might have been as the full-time whistle went
The changes meant Jack Stephens missed out altogether, with new signing Kevin Danso taking a place on the bench, while Ings was also among the substitutes against his old side
As it was, despite being hurt by a pitch invader during the Super Cup celebrations, Liverpool’s second choice did mark the starting line-up

SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom- Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl had called for a reaction from his team against Liverpool, following their opening-day defeat at Burnley. He duly got it, but what he didn’t get, unfortunately, was the result to go with it.

As they had done at St Mary’s last season, Saints caused some significant problems for Jürgen Klopp’s team, but once again were left to reflect on what might have been as the full-time whistle went.

Despite a late charge that saw Danny Ings net against his former club, Saints couldn't quite overcome the deficit.

Hasenhüttl made two changes from the side that had lost 3-0 at Burnley, with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg having recovered from illness to retake the captain’s armband, while Maya Yoshida was also restored to the team.

The changes meant Jack Stephens missed out altogether, with new signing Kevin Danso taking a place on the bench, while Ings was also among the substitutes against his old side.

As so often seems to be the case between these two teams at St Mary’s, it was a pulsating game from the off.

Liverpool, three days on from their Super Cup win over Chelsea, in Istanbul, looked keen to prove in the early stages that there was no issue over tiredness, and they fashioned the first opportunity of the game after three minutes, when James Milner took a flick from Mané and drove towards the edge of the D, with his low shot deflecting off Yoshida, but spinning fortunately into the arms of Angus Gunn.

If fatigue had been one question mark around the visitors coming into this game, so too was their goalkeeping situation, with fears that Alisson’s back-up, Adrián, wouldn’t be fit.

As it was, despite being hurt by a pitch invader during the Super Cup celebrations, Liverpool’s second choice did mark the starting line-up.