Ah, dear. More groans around Anfield as furtherpoints are dropped. No wins in three at home, haven’t you heard? We’ll be revisiting performances like these if Liverpool aren’t at least fourth come the season finale.
Simon Mignolet – 6 – A clean-sheet is the only thing to be positive about. Wasn’t tested at all from shots but was commanding (again) from corners. Should have been sent off for handling outside the area, mind. That would have summed up Liverpool’s day.
Nathaniel Clyne – 5 – Turgid. The only way to describe Clyne’s performance. Didn’t offer the width Liverpool desperately craved and on the rare occasion when he did, the delivery was poor.
Dejan Lovren – 6 – Very little to say about the centre-back’s as Liverpool weren’t really tested. Lovren was fine, dealt with Gabbiadini well whilst the Italian was on.
Joel Matip – 6 – See Dejan Lovren.
James Milner – 4 – Would be given a five for the same reasons as Clyne, offered more width than the man on the other side but when he does offer it he comes in on his right and slow us down. That’s half Klopp’s fault for selection but half Milner’s fault for not being brave to use what is a fairly good weak foot. Knocked down a mark for the penalty miss, but in truth, Liverpool didn’t deserve to score.
Lucas Leiva – 7 – Probably Liverpool’s best player, believe it or not. Actually tried to get things moving going forward, despite the odd pass going astray due to Lucas’ *ahem*, lack of technical quality. His ball in won the penalty, and the Brazilian dealt fairly well with the challenge presented to him in midfield. Still, it wasn’t going to be a game where he was *needed*, so the fact he was the best player was slightly ironic.
Emre Can – 6 – Did his best in midfield to move the Southampton pieces around in a long game of chess, but failed. Not terrible but not great, looked confident after his wonder goal on Monday and was unlucky with a couple of efforts.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5 – Hid. Hid badly. I love Gini, but he’s gone missing in recent weeks and it happened again today, as he was rarely seen on the ball. Perhaps tired and needs taking out for a game, but is Klopp bold enough to do that at crunch time?
Roberto Firmino – 5 – Wasn’t lacking in effort but was in quality, great challenge on Romeu in the first half to get a shot away but struggled to really decide things. Better when Sturridge came on.
Philippe Coutinho – 5 – Looked a lone man in the middle of midfield trying to dictate things, but that only saw the Reds have fewer players close to the Southampton goal.
Divock Origi – 5 – Rounds out a disappointing afternoon for the front three. Completely lost the form that saw him do so impressively just before Christmas, not sure where the next goal comes from for Origi.
Daniel Sturridge – 7 – Should have come on much sooner. Looked most likely to make things happen. Touch was excellent, created chances and got shots off himself. Must start the final two games.
Adam Lallana – 5 – Came on and didn’t have the impact many hoped for. Struggled to get on the ball in congested areas.
Marko Grujic – N/A – Nice to see him get a few more minutes but the change seemed a little pointless.