Good afternoon and welcome to the first of today’s liveblogs as Jurgen Klopp brings his Liverpool side to St Mary’s to face Southampton.
Later it’s the Manchester derby but for now our focus is on the south coast plus we’ll be keeping a close eye on the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland at St James’ Park.
The Reds are coming off the back of their Europa League triumph over Man United and will be looking to finish strongly, starting this afternoon against Ronald Koeman’s men.
The Saints sit one place ahead of Liverpool, in eight, but have won just one of their last four outings.
Kick-off is at 1.30pm and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
Straight to the team news and Shane Long starts up front for the hosts.
And this is how Liverpool will line-up this afternoon:
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Not long until kick-off now. Southampton have made just one change to the side that beat Stoke last weekend with skipper Jose Fonte returning from suspension. Matt Targett drops out of the back four.
For Liverpool, Klopp makes three changes in personnel with Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Jordan Henderson the players who miss out.
Joe Allen, Divock Origi and Jon Flanagan, who captains the Reds today, all come in.
The scene is set. Which way do you see this one going?
Kick-off! The visitors, in their black kit, get us underway at St Mary’s. The action has also started at St James’ Park and we’ll be keeping a close eye on that one too.
Liverpool have started brightly and Philippe Coutinho has had an early effort on goal.
Chance! The Saints get on the front foot for the first time and have already asked questions of Liverpool’s defence. Steven Davies’ set-piece delivery causes problems but Virgil van Dijk can’t direct his header on target.
Big penalty appeals from Southampton. Shane Long shows his pace and bears down on goal from the left but appears to be clipped clumsily by Dejan Lovren.
Referee Roger East takes a look but waves away the appeals but there definitely appeared to be contact. Big, big call.
It’s been a lively start to proceedings. Pelle is the latest to try his luck but he couldn’t force Simon Mignolet into action.
Long is causing the Liverpool defence untold problems. He’s looking very sharp early on and got in behind the visitors’ defence again but Lovren got back well on that occasion.
England manager Roy Hodgson is in attendance this afternoon.
Liverpool haven’t really got going yet. It’s an open game so they’re seeing plenty of the ball but they’ve yet to settle fully into the contest.
Daniel Sturridge gets involved for the first time. The striker drops off to get the ball off Flanagan and swivels to get a powerful drive away but it’s straight at the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Liverpool (Coutinho)
He’s done it again. Out of nothing, Coutinho gives Liverpool the lead as he comes in off the left and unleashes an unstoppable drive past Forster and into the far corner.
Frustration for the hosts. They’d started brightly and arguably should have had a penalty for that Lovren incident but now find themselves behind.
But that was another moment of individual brilliance from Coutinho.
GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Liverpool (Sturridge)
Brilliant break from the Reds and Sturridge picks his spot and curls it around Forster. Clinical from Liverpool.
Swift counter-attack from Liverpool as Origi tees up Sturridge, who composes himself before placing the ball into the far corner. An incredible start for the Reds at St Mary’s.
Roger East’s decision is becoming more and more controversial.
Save! What a move from Liverpool and Joe Allen really should have scored. Lallana, Can and Coutinho all combine to create the opening for the Welsh midfielder in what would have been one of the goals of the season.
However, Allen is thwarted by Forster and Liverpool’s lead remains at two.
Liverpool could, and really should, be 4-0 up at this stage. Allen again heavily involved before setting Sturridge away but his effort is tame.
A little better from Southampton as they search for a route back into the game. Their best bet appears to be down the flanks but the delivery was poor on this occasion.
Liverpool have been exceptional in the opening half an hour and have played with purpose, pace and precision as they look to cap off a memorable week with another big win.
Liverpool think they have their third through Joe Allen but as the Liverpool players celebrate, the linesman raises his flag to chalk it off.
Replays show it was probably the correct decision as Mamadou Sakho was standing in an offside position with Allen’s shot going through his legs en route to the back of the net.
Pelle look dangerous when they spring forward but nothing has fallen for them just yet and the frustration levels are growing inside St Mary’s.
There’s been a goal at St James’ Park where Sunderland have taken the lead in the Tyne-Wear derby. Jermain Defoe volleying home just before half-time.
Two minutes added time at the end of the first-half at St Mary’s.
Southampton looking to finish strongly but they’ve yet to really test Simon Mignolet.
Half-time! And that’s that for the first period.
Nearly ready for the action to resume at St Mary’s but we have changes to tell you about. Southampton are making two of them as Koeman looks for a way back into this game.
Jordy Clasie and Dusan Tadic are replaced with Victor Wanyama, back after a five-game ban, and Sadio Mane come on in their place.
Liverpool, meanwhile, make a change of their own with Skrtel on for Lovren.
Back underway with Liverpool currently in the driving seat.
Penalty! Skrtel comes on and concedes a penalty after fouling Pelle.
But it’s saved! Mane is denied by Simon Mignolet to maintain Liverpool’s two-goal lead.
That was a big miss from Mane and the wind has been taken from Southampton’s sails again after a bright start to the second-half. Liverpool look far more vulnerable with Skrtel partnering Sakho.
Mane’s spot-kick is saved.
So close for Southampton. Another Davies set-piece causes problems and a clever header from Virgil van Dijk very nearly tees Mane up but it’s just out of his reach.
Romeu picks the ball up 30 yards out and strikes it sweetly only to see his effort tipped over the bar by Mignolet.
GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Liverpool (Mane)
The Saints are back in it as Mane makes amends for his penalty miss with an outstanding finish from a tight angle.
And Liverpool have made their second sub with Benteke coming on for Sturridge.
Koeman makes his final change as Romeu is replaced by James Ward-Prowse. The complexion of this game has changed and it really is now game on with 20 minutes remaining.
Great chance for Benteke to wrap up the points but he fluffs his lines. Lallana, who has been superb all afternoon, plays a perfect ball for Benteke but the striker drags his shot wide.
Liverpool have had chances, in either half, to settle this contest but have failed to take any and that may just come back to haunt them. Southampton rallying with 13 minutes left on the clock.
Drama at St James’ Park as Mitrovic scores a crucial goal for Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby. 8 minutes left in that one.
GOAL! Southampton 2-2 Liverpool (Pelle)
What a strike! Pelle comes back in on his left foot and doesn’t need a second invitation to unleash a rocket past the goalkeeper and into the corner.
Liverpool had looked comfortable up until that point but they gave Pelle far too much room and he punished them emphatically. Still 5 minutes remaining and you wouldn’t bet against a winner either way now.
GOAL! Southampton 3-2 Liverpool (Mane)
Jurgen Klopp can’t quite believe it. You can’t help but look back at that Benteke chance at 2-1. Incredible finish at St Mary’s and Liverpool have thrown this away.
Incredible turnaround. Since half-time, Liverpool have been at sixes and sevens defensively and have been unable to deal with the threat of Mane, Pelle and Long. We’re into four added minutes.
Klopp was preparing to bring Jordan Henderson on at 2-1 but had to quickly change his plans. Young Sheyi Ojo is on instead as Liverpool unbelievably have to find a late equaliser.
Coutinho is the most likely source but his long-range effort sails over Forster’s bar.
Full-time! Southampton 3-2 Liverpool
It finished 1-1 between Newcastle and Sunderland at St James’ Park. Reports to come from the two early kick-offs shortly but in the meantime you can follow our live coverage of the Manchester derby here.
