SA Youngster On The Bench While Liverpool Suffer Shock Loss
05 January, 2021
Premier League
Result: Southampton 1-0 Liverpool
Date: 04 January 2020
Venue: St Mary's Stadium
Premier League leaders Liverpool endured a frustrating evening after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Monday night.
With the Reds still without Joel Matip, captain Jordan Henderson joined Fabinho in central defence while Thiago Alcantara. Meanwhile, 17-year-aged South African midfielder Kgagelo Chauke was called on the Saints' bench for the first time.
The visitors got off to an unhealthy start when former Reds striker Danny Ings caught the defence napping from James Ward-Prowse's free-kick to lob Alisson Becker after simply just two minutes.
Jurgen Klopp's men dominated possession thereafter, with Thiago pulling the strings, but struggled to carve out clear-cut openings found in the 18-yard area.
Mohamed Salah did go near to pulling the Reds level prior to the break but he didn't steer his header in target when the visitors didn't register a single effort on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Jack Stephens found Southampton's rescue on 57 minutes following popping with a vital block in the six-yard field to deny Sadio Mane.
With the Reds struggling to breakthrough the Saints defence, Xherdan Shaqiri built a rare appearance after exchanging the in-effective Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain for the ultimate 30 minutes.
The Reds threw everything forward searching for an equaliser, with Mane sending a header over the crossbar in the ultimate minute as the Saints held on for the win.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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