Liverpool hosted Southampton at Anfield this evening knowing that clinching their second home win of the season was vital in keeping their Premier League campaign on track.
The Reds managed to control the majority of the game and Southampton's failure to impose any real threat on Merseyside, resulted in a comfortable afternoon for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in our minute-by minute live commentary below.
Hello all! Here we go again then, another weekend of Premier League clashes. Here, we're focusing on Liverpool's encounter with Southampton and both sides will be desperate for points as we edge nearer to the hectic festive schedule.
Let's have a look at both sides' standings in the league table while we wait for the team news to emerge at Anfield. The Reds sit 12th with 16 points and they will hope to push up towards the top 10 with a win today, while the Saints are struggling in the bottom three of the table with 12 points to their name.
Right, we have the team news coming out of Merseyside and it's the home side first!
Liverpool starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger; Lucas, Allen, Gerrard; Shelvey, Sterling, Suarez
Liverpool bench: Jones, Carragher, Sahin, Henderson, Downing, Suso, Wisdom
We also have team news from the away side for you as Southampton try to grab a crucial away win.
Southampton starting XI: Gazzaniga; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Puncheon, Schneiderlin, Cork, Lallana; Ramirez, Lambert
Southampton bench: K. Davis, Hooiveld, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Mayuka, Reeves
Right, let's have a little look at the Liverpool side first then. Lucas Leiva returns to the midfield since being sidelined since September with a thigh injury. The Brazilian hasn't found his rhythm in the side for over a season since his previous injury kept him out for the majority of last year's campaign.
It's a big ask for the midfielder to slot into Brendan Rodgers's side straight away and he definitely hasn't been eased into the team since he starts this afternoon. Lucas's inclusion means that 20-year-old Jonjo Shelvey pushes up top alongside Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez.
Jose Enrique drops down to his original full-back position, while there is no place for Joe Cole in the squad, despite reports claiming that the midfielder had recovered from injury.
Let's switch over to the travelling side then. The only change to Southampton's side from midweek is that James Ward-Prowse gets a place on the bench in place of Guly.
Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga keeps his place, despite coming under pressure following a number of blunders, one of which occurred against Norwich City, which allowed the Canaries to snatch an equaliser.
Danny Fox remains out of contention for the Saints with a knee injury but it's a big day for striker Rickie Lambert and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who are big fans of the team they are playing against today.
Merseyside-born Lambert has the Liverpool crest tattooed on him so I'm sure it will mean a lot to the forward to find the back of the net at Anfield!
It's also a special day for manager Adkins, who spent his youth career at Liverpool and is also a self-confessed Reds supporter. You could suggest that the Saints may be more fired up for this game than any other!
As we wait for the 3pm kick-off, let's have a look at some of the previous meetings between the two sides. Interestingly, Southampton have won three of their last four matches against the Reds in the league. It's worth noting, however, that the two clubs last met in the top flight in 2005.
If Liverpool find themselves a goal down during the match, they may want to draw on the fact that Adkins's side have dropped more points (15) from winning positions than any other club in the league.
So, just to reiterate, Liverpool can move up towards the top 10 in the table with a victory, while Southampton could move three points clear of the drop zone. Who has the bigger incentive?
We've had a little insight into what the Liverpool players are listening to in the dressing room. The club's official Twitter account has revealed that Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' is being played to get the players pumping. Interesting...
A minute's applause to remember Liverpool's Academy starlet Stephen Packer, who tragically lost his battle with cancer last weekend, will he held at Anfield before kick-off. A nice touch.
So just 15 minutes to go before kick-off! Who do you think will come out on top? You could argue that Rodgers may come under pressure if the Reds succumb to their second defeat this week following their 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Adkins, however, has remained adamant that his job at St Mary's is safe, despite a torrid start to the campaign. The Liverpudlian may have had the pressure eased off of him following the Saints' recent run, which has included two wins and a draw.
The teams are in the tunnel and are about to emerge onto the pitch. Liverpool in their traditional red strip and Southampton are in white - in case you were interested...
The teams are lined up on the field and the Reds' anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rings around the stadium as the two sides' prepare to pay respect to the late Liverpool youth player Stephen Packer.
A poignant applause for the Liverpool youngster, who tragically lost his battle with cancer, respected by both sets of fans at Anfield.
Liverpool get us underway as they opt to play away from the Kop end for the first half.
Liverpool get an early free kick and a whipping ball from Gerrard comes to nothing. The ball bounces back to Enrique's feet and he launches the ball to the left towards Skrtel but it's hit too hard and goes out of play.
Southampton have lost the ball numerous times in these early stages as they try to find some composure.
And just as I say that Lambert takes a shot from far out. The chance does enough to force Reina into diving to his left but the shot eventually bobbles behind the goal.
Gaston Ramirez tries to put pressure on Agger but the Denmark international does just enough to dispell any trouble and regains possession for the home side.
Liverpool have begun threatening early through some lovely build-up play between Allen and Sterling. The midfielder slides the ball into the winger's feet on the right but the Saints' defence manage to clear any danger.
Johnson crosses into the box after beating the run of Lallana but the England international fails to find Suarez in the box.
CHANCE! Shelvey gets the best opportunity to put the home side in front after Gerrard's cross is cleared by Fonte and the ball falls to Shelvey but he's unable to get the right touch to trouble the keeper.
Minutes later Johnson drives into the box and completes a short pass to Suarez, who moves out wide and launches the ball into the box but no red shirts are able to latch on to the pass.
Liverpool have started stronger than their opponents in these early stages and the home side have had two corners in as many minutes. Clyne and Fonte have had a lot to do but they will be hoping to calm down the home side and get some of their own men on the ball.
Lucas just proves that he's been sidelined for a lengthy period of time after attempting a ball to the right side but it goes wayward and out for a Saints throw-in.
Gerrard tries another long cross from midfield and tries to find Sterling but Clyne manages to hold off the youngster and clear the ball.
Cork snatches the ball from midfield and passes to Ramirez, who gets the return pass from Lallana. The Uruguayan finds himself in the penalty box but is fairly nudged off the ball by Skrtel.
There was a hint of worry over Suarez, who has been limping slightly after a challenge from Clyne but the frontman seems to have shaken it off.
Minutes after Lambert's cross was hooked away by Agger, Suarez managed to release himself from Yoshida and tried to go on his own but it came to nothing as he failed to bring in the options on his left.
Ramirez survives Allen's challenge and skips past Lucas but Skrtel manages to stop the forward in his tracks. The Uruguayan has been the biggest threat for the away side so far.
Gerrard looks in control of the field at the moment. A corner kick finds the Reds skipper on his own in the box and he launches a shot at goal but it's bounced off the Saints defence.
Enrique tries to recreate Suarez's now famous goal against Newcastle by committing a long-ball pass to the striker but his touch isn't good enough to trouble the keeper.
CHANCE! A quick free-kick is taken by Liverpool and Suarez takes a swift and short pass to Gerrard, who tries a trademark powerful shot from outside the area but the ball drifts over the bar.
CHANCE! Seconds later Shelvey, again, finds himself onside from a pass by Gerrard but the midfielder has too much to do and the ball is snuffed out by the keeper.
At the other end, Lallana tries to bring Lambert into play by flicking the ball into the box but there's too much pressure on the pass and the ball goes out of play.
CHANCE! Some lovely one-twos from Allen and Suarez allows the Uruguayan to take a shot on goal by the near post but the Saints keeper grabs the ball. Suarez later appeals for a penalty but it's waved away by the officials.
As we near the 30-minute mark, Liverpool have dominated the play but we've been here before haven't we? The Reds are failing to convert their chances and are lacking that final touch.
Lambert releases a ball over the top for Lallana, who has acres of space, but Reina gets his timing just right and hits the ball away.
CHANCE! Another chance for Suarez as a long ball is launched from the back to find the striker dropping off the shoulder of the defender but Yoshida does just enough to prevent the shot from coming off after the keeper goes missing.
A chorus of boos continue to ring around the stadium whenever Gazzaniga has the ball as the keeper spends too long to get his kick away.
Some more impressive play from Johnson and Suarez, who are opening up the right-hand side. A cross from Sterling tries to find Suarez but it bobbles to Enrique on the left-hand side and the Spaniard fails to keep in it play.
Lallana wins the away side a free kick outside of the area after Johnson clipped the player during a surging run into Liverpool's area.
Lambert drives a clean free kick towards goal but it goes wide and fails to trouble Reina.
CHANCE! A minute later, Gerrard launches another attack from midfield by bringing Shelvey into play with a pass to the right side of the final third and the midfielder takes a shot but it just ripples across the bar.
After a momentary spell of possession, Puncheon gives away the ball by committing a handball in the Reds' half.
Southampton try to launch an attack from the back and get a foothold in the game but they continue to give the ball away in midfield. Adkins will, I'm sure, be having words with his players to try to tighten that up in the second half.
Lambert lofts the ball into the box to find Cork, who manages to sneak in behind Skrtel but Reina is able to grab the ball and prevent Cork from getting a shot on goal.
Ramirez gives away a free kick after bringing down Suarez on the outside of the penalty box. Gerrard and Suarez are hovering round the ball as they prepare to take the kick.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Southampton (Agger)
Well, it was coming! A headed goal from defender Agger gives the home side the deserved lead. Suarez's bending free kick hit the bar, which then bounced back out to the feet of Johnson, who launched a left-footed cross into the box where Agger was waiting to head the ball into the back of the net.
Southampton get their first corner of the game. Can the Saints get an equaliser in the last few minutes of the half?
That would be a no... An opportunity goes begging for the away side after Puncheon fouls Reina to give the home side a free kick.
Well, that would have been some goal from Lambert. The striker tries a volley over the head of Reina but the Spaniard scuffles clear and the Saints' corner comes to nothing.
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
There's no doubt that the home side deserve their lead at half time. Gerrard has controlled the midfield with ease, while Suarez has been his usual nuisance self for the Southampton defenders.
Adkins will try to encourage his side at half-time to keep the ball, especially in the middle of the park, and tighten up on the right side of the field. The away side are likely to rely on any free-kick opportunities they receive in the second half.
While we wait for the next 45 minutes of the clash, why not have a read of our half-time report.
The second half is about to get underway but until then why not fill in a little survey we have. Let us know what you want more of on our site as we try to accommodate your preferences. Have a little gander here. Cheers!
Right, back to the football! The Saints have kicked off the second half. Will they be able to get back into this game?
Early indications would suggest that Southampton still have a lot to do. The Reds are dominating midfield and are very comfortable down the right-hand side. They will look to exploit that if the Saints can't find any answers to stop Johnson and Sterling.
Puncheon drifts the ball out to the right to find Ramirez but it comes to nothing. Seconds later, the Saints win a corner after Lallana's shot is punched out for a corner.
Schneiderlin tries his luck at goal but the ball falls right into the hands of Reina.
At the other end, Suarez gets a lofty shot straight to the feet of Shelvey, who controls the ball well but hits his pass too far to find the oncoming Gerrard.
Southampton have started better in this second half and are finding the ball down the flanks with some nice interplay by Puncheon and Cork, who earns the away side a corner. The set play once again comes to nothing.
Some good defending from Cork prevents Allen from playing in Suarez in the final third. Neither side have yet managed a shot on goal in these early stages.
Skrtel is covering well at the back for Liverpool but you just get the feeling that if the Saints get a sniff at goal, they could trouble the home side.
CHANCE! Ramirez tries to force through an equaliser for the away side but his shot from far outside the area drifts over the bar.
Sterling slides a lovely through-ball to Enrique but the Spaniard is offside and the Liverpool attack comes to an end.
A tame effort from Sterling following some lovely build-up play from Suarez and Johnson. The full-back launches his pass into the box and despite some good control and a vital turn from Sterling, the winger fails to get any power on his shot.
Down at the other end, Cork tries to flick a shot behind Reina but Lucas drifts back to prevent any danger.
Lallana is looking impressive for the Saints in this second half as he tries to grab his side by the scruff of the neck to get an equaliser but Liverpool look determined to double their lead.
Some lovely trickery in the box from Suarez to get himself away from the defender in the penalty area but his shot hits the sidenetting.
Southampton are enjoying a spell of possession but Fonte gives the ball away and minutes later Gerrard makes the same mistake as Schneiderlin nicks the ball from the skipper after he spent too long looking for Sterling.
A robust challenge from Shelvey on Ramirez give the away side a free kick in their own half.
Liverpool regain possession and Suarez drops back to launch a perfectly-weighted pass into the feet of Enrique, who gets muscled out by the Southampton defence, who give away a corner. The Saints clear any danger.
SUBS! Liverpool's Jordan Henderson comes on for Joe Allen, who has struggled recently to find the form with which he came to Anfield in the summer. Meanwhile, Cork makes way for Steven Davis in the Saints side.
Lallana tries his luck with an ambitious shot but it was never going to trouble Reina, who sets up another attack for the home side.
Suarez is causing trouble once again for Southampton and the Uruguayan wins a corner for the Reds. The cross from the corner flag finds Skrtel, who directs a header towards goal but it flies over the bar.
Schneiderlin launches the ball into the box from a free kick but Lucas clears and Liverpool are on the attack once again.
Sterling tries to find Henderson after a surging run into the box but the pass goes away from the former Sunderland midfielder and goes out for a goal kick.
CHANCE! Enrique gets the chance to double Liverpool's lead following a pass from Johnson, who finds himself in a central midfield position, but the Spaniard's powerful shot is blocked by the keeper and cleared.
SUB! Puncheon makes way for Jay Rodriguez as Southampton have just over 10 minutes to get back into the game.
BOOKING! Some bad news for Liverpool fans. Suarez will miss the Reds' next Premier League clash against West Ham United after getting his fourth yellow card of the season for a blatant handball in the box following a whipping ball from Gerrard.
Southampton try to counter-attack from a Liverpool corner but Johnson snuffs out any danger and gives his side the possession once again.
Suarez is clipped by Davis and gets a free kick for his side, who use Enrique to surge down the left-hand side but the Reds fail to get near the goal.
A brilliant run from Rodriguez allows the player to find acres of space but instead of using the three options around him, Rodriguez gives the ball away to Lucas.
SUB! Lucas gets an ovation from the fans as he makes way for Jamie Carragher.
Sterling latches on to a ball that Fonte lets run across him and Suarez gets the shot in but it goes wide.
There's three minutes of extra time and Southampton will be pleased to get this game over with. The former Championship outfit are looking slightly sluggish at Anfield.
CHANCE! Sterling had the chance to kill off the game for Liverpool after a stunning ball from Suarez. The youngster tries to drag the ball back for Gerrard but his pass stumbles into the feet of Fonte.
FULL-TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
It's all over at Anfield and while the game was arguably not the most exciting of spectacles, you'd have to say that Liverpool deserved to take the three points over a Southampton side that failed to impose their own game on Merseyside.
As is stands, Liverpool have moved up to 11th in the Premier League table, while Southampton remain in the bottom three with 12 points.
Well, that's all from me! Thanks for joining us for today's live updates from Anfield. Before you go, have a look at a more comprehensive view of the match in our full-time report. Also, if you want to stick around, Sports Mole is bringing you live coverage of Reading's clash against Manchester United here. Enjoy!
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
