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Match Analysis: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton

Match Analysis: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
© PA Photos
Sports Mole takes a look back at the 90 minutes that unfolded during Liverpool's slender victory over Southampton.

Liverpool have clinched their second Premier League win of the season on home turf by overcoming Southampton at Anfield.

The Reds secured a comfortable 1-0 win over the Saints, who failed to impose their game on Merseyside.

The victory puts Brendan Rodgers's side up to 11th in the league table, while Southampton continue to linger in the bottom three of the standings.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look back at the 90 minutes of action from Anfield.

Match statistics:

Liverpool:
Shots 24
On target 11
Possession 69%
Corners 10
Fouls 10

Southampton:
Shots 8
On target 4
Possession 31%
Corners 4
Fouls 8

Was the result fair?

Liverpool were comfortable throughout the clash, so it would have been unjust if the home side hadn't come away with the result. Southampton were unable to trouble the Merseyside outfit in large parts of the game, while Liverpool posed a greater attacking threat throughout.

Liverpool's performance

The Reds impressed in the first half of the match but dwindled slightly in the second 45 minutes. The Reds were on the frontfoot from the final whistle and controlled the midfield and the right-hand side down the flanks but once again, Rodgers's side lacked that killer instinct in the final third.

Southampton's performance

Nigel Adkins's men were under pressure early in the first half and they continued to give the ball away in dangerous areas. Saints skipper Adam Lallana tried to get his side back into the clash in the second half by driving forward on a number of occasions but the side began to tire towards the end of the match.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Steven Gerrard: There were a few contenders for the man of the match as Jose Enrique and Luis Suarez both stood out for the winning side this afternoon. However, it was the captain who drove his side in the first half and was able to take over the midfield and prevent the Saints from finding their composure. The England international dropped slightly in his workrate in the second half but the 32-year-old was inspirational enough to lead his side to victory.

Biggest gaffe

Despite an impressive performance over the 90 minutes, Luis Suarez committed a needless handball offence in the second half when he had the chance to head the ball into the back of the net. The Uruguayan was booked for touching the ball, which means that the striker will miss next weekend's clash against West Ham United.

Referee performance

Mike Oliver had a quiet game at Anfield and avoided any controversy. The match official let the game flow and correctly awarded the only yellow card of the game to Suarez following his handball.

What next?

Liverpool: The Reds go up against West Ham United at Upton Park next Sunday as they try to climb up the table.

Southampton: Southampton welcome former fellow Championship side Reading to St Mary's next Saturday as both sides try to move away from the relegation zone.

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Live Commentary: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton - as it happened
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