Preview: Southampton vs. Liverpool

Liverpool travel to Southampton on Sunday afternoon looking to extend a run of just one defeat in their last 17 games in all competitions.

At one stage, Brendan Rodgers looked under pressure to keep his job at Anfield, but the Northern Irishman has sparked a turnaround that has seen the Reds go nine games without defeat in the Premier League.

The Merseyside giants still sit four points adrift of the top four, but they can go some way to upping the pressure on their rivals with victory at St Mary's.

Adam Lallana is a likely starter on his return to his former club, while Raheem Sterling could be recalled after returning from injury. However, Mario Balotelli will remain on the bench, despite his match-winning goal against Besiktas on Thursday night.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman is boosted by the return of midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and Shane Long after they both recovered from injury.

The duo could both be handed an immediate recall, despite the Saints registering 13 points in their previous six league fixtures.

However, Koeman will be aware that his team need to start scoring more goals, with just one being netted in their last 298 minutes of Premier League football.

The Dutch coach will be looking for a return to form for striker Graziano Pelle, who has only scored once in his previous 11 appearances in all competitions.

Southampton:

Form in Premier League: WWWLWD Form in all competitions: WWLLWD

Possible starting lineup: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Yoshida, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Mane, Elia, Pelle

Liverpool:

Form in Premier League: DWWWDW Form in all competitions: WWDWWW

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Allen, Henderson, Moreno, Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, Sturridge

Sports Mole says: 1-1