Good afternoon and welcome to our live Premier League matchtracker where we’ll be keeping a close eye on both Manchester United’s trip to Southampton and Liverpool’s clash with Norwich.
Both games kick-off at 4pm.
The teamsheets are in from St Mary’s and Anfield so lets get straight to it.
Starting with Southampton, Ronald Koeman has left Shane Long on the bench with Pelle, Mane and Tadic leading the hosts’ attack.
And here’s the United XI for today’s game:
So the headline news is that Anthony Martial will start his first Premier League game with Wayne Rooney returning after missing last weekend’s win over Liverpool.
Marcos Rojo looks set to deputise at left-back for Luke Shaw while Morgan Schneiderlin starts in midfield on his return to St Mary’s.
And here’s the substitutes for each side with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini all available to Louis van Gaal.
Southampton: Davis, Cedric, Long, Davis, Rodriguez, Martina, Juanmi.
Man United: Romero, McNair, Valencia, Herrera, Schweinsteiger, Young, Fellaini.
Big news from Anfield where Daniel Sturridge starts for the Reds after six months out through injury.
The England international will partner Christian Benteke up-front while Lucas and Emre Can are tasked with operating in the engine room in Jordan Henderson’s continued absence.
Robbie Brady starts for Norwich but disappointment for Wes Hoolahan who has to settle for a place on the bench.
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It’s a big day for Daniel Sturridge at Anfield.
His last appearance came against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on 8 April and since then he’s undergone surgery on his hip and endured countless setbacks.
But he’s back this afternoon and Brendan Rodgers has no hesitation in throwing him straight into the action as he partners Christian Benteke up-front.
Interestingly, both Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez have been dropped to the bench on the back of last weekend’s defeat at Old Trafford while Philippe Coutinho returns from suspension.
Will we see a change in approach from United today? Louis van Gaal’s men have been criticised for not playing with enough pace or precision and thus they’ve failed to break teams down.
They’ve lost their last two away games (to PSV and Swansea) despite dominating for large periods.
In the day’s early game, Tottenham had their new €30 million forward to thank as they edged out Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.
Son Heung-Min scored the only goal of the game as Spurs earned the points in the London derby. Full report here.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Man United manager Louis van Gaal explained why he has opted to bring Rojo in for the injured Shaw at left-back:
“Our defensive organisation was very good so I don’t think I have to change too much. Rojo usually plays left-back for Argentina so he is used to playing there more than the other players.”
Northern Ireland international Paddy McNair offers defensive cover on the bench while Antonio Valencia is also available should he be called upon.
Despite that defeat at Swansea and dropping points at home to Newcastle, United can move into second place – just two points behind leaders City – with a win today.
Teams are in the tunnel at both St Mary’s and Anfield.
Kick-off! Away we go at St Mary’s and Anfield.
United enjoying plenty of possession in the opening exchanges with Michael Carrick orchestrating proceedings. At Anfield, meanwhile, Norwich are attacking the Kop end in this first-half.
Southampton have yet to get their foot on the ball as the visitors look to stamp their authority on the contest. There’s a cracking atmosphere at St Mary’s.
Just two minutes into the game at Anfield and James Milner is shown a yellow card. The Liverpool captain loses the ball to Cameron Jerome in a dangerous position and hauls the Norwich forward down before he can run at the Reds defence.
Big penalty appeals at Anfield but Anthony Taylor isn’t interested. Milner is involved again as he latches onto Sturridge’s reverse flick and then goes down under the challenge but the replays suggest the referee got that one right.
Southampton just settling into the task now as Mane surges forward down the right as he gets in between Rojo but his cross is weak and goes behind for an United goal-kick.
Liverpool have started really brightly against Norwich and Sturridge looks to be sharp despite his lengthy lay-off.
Much better from the Saints as they get their foot on the ball and look to test the United backline. On this occasion, Smalling is quickly across the cover and clear the danger.
Liverpool asking questions of Norwich again as Benteke looks to get on the end of Moreno’s set-piece before Coutinho fails to catch his effort from just outside the area.
From the restart, Sturridge finds Benteke in space but the Belgian is offside.
Southampton have clicked into gear at St Mary’s and look bright going forward. The ball drops to Tadic on the edge of the area but he drags his half-volley wide with David de Gea happy to see that one behind.
Marcos Rojo forced to make a last-ditch intervention after Tadic’s whipped cross. United dealt with it well in the end with Daley Blind leaving it because any touch would have seen him divert it past his own goalkeeper.
The attack peters out when Mark Clattenburg awards the visitors a free out from the corner.
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Man United (Pelle)
United’s midfield haven’t come to terms with the movement of the hosts and Ward-Prowse drifts out to the right to send a low cross into the box. Mane gets on the end of it but sees his effort parried by de Gea, only for Pelle to slot home unmarked.
That was another very good move from Southampton are United have been living dangerously up to that point. They were unfortunate that de Gea’s save fell to the Saints striker but he was quickest to react and made no mistake from close range.
Louis van Gaal’s side are really up against it already.
Off the post!
So much space again for Pelle as he finds himself one-on-one with Smalling and after shifting it onto his right foot, can’t find the target as his low shot deflects back off the post.
United look for a quick response as they work it out wide. Memphis comes off his wing to flick inside for Martial but the Frenchman’s effort his high and wide – much to the amusement of the home fans.
Norwich are doing well to nullify the threat of Liverpool’s forward line so far and the longer they can keep it scoreless, the more frustrated the hosts will become.
The visitors, to be fair, also offer a threat on the break with the pace of Redmond in particular.
Chance! There’s an air of tension around Anfield this afternoon but it would have lifted if James Milner had of found the net there.
Brilliant build-up play by Moreno to set-up the opening but Milner can’t find the net as Robbie Brady slid across to make a last-gasp block.
United have just taken the sting out of the game at St Mary’s as they look to find a route back into the contest. Louis van Gaal, equipped with notepad and pen, looks frustrated on the touchline as he watches his side being picked apart once again.
Better from United as Mata is picked out by Smalling and the Spaniard looks for Memphis instantly but his cross is a fraction high and the chance is gone.
Nothing much to report from Anfield. Norwich are happy to sit deep, in a rigid formation, and look to frustrate the hosts by getting numbers behind the ball.
Moreno has been Liverpool’s best attacking outlet so far and once again he made good ground down the left to cut it back for Sturridge but the forward got it stuck under his feet, allowing Bassong to step in and clear.
Great delivery from Robbie Brady as he ventures forward for the first time but Redmond’s header lacked pace and it was easy for Mignolet to gather.
This sums up United under van Gaal, no?
“Every single player is getting behind the ball for Southampton. They’re more compact. Man United are too ponderous on the ball at the back, too many touches.”Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
Close! Norwich back off Clyne with Sturridge pulling Brady away and the full-back tries his luck from range. John Ruddy was scrambling but the daisy-cutter shaves the outside of the post.
Rooney has been very quiet again this afternoon but he’s just starting to drop a little deeper to get involved. Plenty of possession but not really going anywhere is the story of United’s season so far.
GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Man United (Martial)
He’s done it again! Southampton clear their lines but the ball comes straight back and Mata pokes it across for Martial who composes himself before slotting it low past Forster.
That’s two in two for the French teenager in the Premier League.
At Anfield, Sturridge is given acres of room but with only Ruddy to beat, can’t beat the goalkeeper and Liverpool’s frustration grows.
That was brilliant from Martial but Southampton will be fuming.
As the ball came back in, Yoshida made a well-timed challenge on Mata but the ball falls and he does the rest.
Liverpool continue to camp themselves outside the Norwich box but they’ve yet to apply the finishing touches. On this occasion, Milner makes a burst through but he’s just unable to keep it under control and Ruddy is quickly off his line to gather.
Man United are now on the front foot with 5 minutes until the break. Memphis’ corner is cleared but the visitors win another one.
Liverpool continue to go close. Sturridge tees-up Milner at the edge of the area and the England international’s volley is well struck but straight at Ruddy.
Norwich are living dangerously but they’re just two minutes away from going into the break on level terms.
Matt Targett goes down and he looks to be in some pain. Mark Clattenburg eventually stops play for the young defender to receive treatment and he gingerly makes his way to the touchline. He looks set to continue but they might assess the damage at the interval.
And that’s half-time at St Mary’s where it’s 1-1 after an entertaining first period. Anthony Martial cancelled out Pelle’s opener but the momentum has swung back in United’s favour.
The whistle goes at Anfield too. Scoreless at the break there between Liverpool and Norwich.
Back underway at St Mary’s.
And the action has resumed at Anfield too. Can Liverpool find the breakthrough? They’ve been hit by the withdrawal of Christian Benteke who has been forced off with a hamstring injury. Danny Ings is on in his place.
Can gives the ball away and Jerome is through but Mignolet is quickly off his line to narrow the angle and eventually clear the danger.
GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Manchester United (Martial)
Out of nothing, United lead! Yoshida doesn’t see Martial and passes it straight to him and the Frenchman calmly finishes into the corner.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Norwich (Ings)
What a moment for Danny Ings! Three minutes after coming on, Ings scores in-front of the Kop to give Liverpool the lead.
What a couple of minutes!
Yoshida’s weak back pass is punished by Martial as he scores his third Premier League goal while Ings also capitalises from a defensive mistake by Russell Martin after Moreno’s through ball.
Liverpool are far more livelier in this second-half and look dangerous every time they surge forward.
Norwich, however, will be fuming for conceding so soon after the break and in the manner they did.
What a start it’s been to Anthony Martial’s Man United career!
The game at Anfield has come alive after a pretty dour first period. You could begin to feel the frustration increasing with each passing minute but now Liverpool are playing with freedom and expression – and Norwich have no answers.
Back at St Mary’s, it’s all gone a little quiet. That was a real sucker-punch for the hosts after such a positive start.
What a save! David de Gea somehow manages to claw Jose Fonte’s header off the line.
Louis van Gaal makes his first change as Schweinsteiger comes on for Carrick. 30 minutes to go at both St Mary’s and Anfield.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Norwich (Martin)
Brady’s corner isn’t dealt with by Mignolet and Russell Martin controls it on his chest and delicately flicks it into the net. Incredible finish.
Well, who saw that coming?
Brady’s corner was menacing and Mignolet flapped at it, only for Martin to lob it back over the goalkeeper with the deftest of flicks.
At St Mary’s, de Gea’s save has kept United in the lead but Southampton are asking questions again.
Chance! Norwich should be ahead. Redmond is causing all sorts of problems down the right and his low cross is met by the in-rushing Jarvis but he can only divert it straight at Mignolet – anywhere else and it would have been 2-1.
Incredible turnaround.
GOAL! Southampton 1-3 Man United (Mata)
Memphis ducks in and out of a few challenges and strikes the upright but Mata is on hand to fire the rebound home with Stekelenburg rooted to the spot.
Louis van Gaal makes his second change moments after his side extend their lead. Paddy McNair is on for Rojo with Blind switching to left-back.
United have been far from brilliant this afternoon but with 20 minutes remaining, they lead by two goals.
Danny Ings’ moment to savour.
Both games are wide open as we enter the final quarter. Which way are they going?
Adam Lallana is on for Sturridge and Firmino has been introduced for Lucas.
The Brazilian has an instant impact as his shot forces Ruddy into a good save.
Penalty appeals at St Mary’s but Clattenburg isn’t interested as Mane hits the deck under the challenge from Smalling. In fact, there was no contact whatsoever and Mane should have been booked for simulation.
Shane Long, meanwhile, is on for the final 15 minutes.
Koeman is going all out with Long coming on for Ward-Prowse. The Saints will fell they’re unlucky to be behind at this juncture but there’s still time to repair the damage.
Martial has been incredibly impressive once again. He picks the ball up deep and effortlessly eats up the ground before skipping past Fonte, who is forced to foul him and give away the free-kick.
The Southampton defender goes into the book and this is a great chance for United.
But Memphis’ effort is wild and it goes well over the bar.
Chance! Liverpool break quickly after a Norwich corner and Coutinho finds himself one-on-one with Ruddy but he can’t apply the finish and the visitors survive. 13 minutes plus injury time remaining.
United are just looking to run down the clock and take the sting out of any potential Southampton fightback. They’ve had 63% of the possession since half-time and have taken a firm grip of proceedings through Martial and Mata.
Louis van Gaal barking instructions at Rooney on the touchline as we’ve another stoppage in play for van Dijk to receive treatment.
At Anfield, the crowd are trying their best to rally their side and Ings very nearly becomes the Kop hero.
He wriggles through but can’t poke it past the advancing Ruddy and eventually runs out of space.
GOAL! Southampton 2-3 Man United (Pelle)
Out of nothing, Southampton are back in it! Mane is allowed to ghost down the right and cross for the unmarked Pelle to find the top corner.
So we’ve got interesting finishes in both games. United look very shaky now as Southampton search for the equaliser.
United now penned inside their own half and what should have been a comfortable final few minutes for the visitors have turned into an edgy conclusion.
Man United relieve the pressure by winning a corner but Memphis takes it short and is then flagged offside. We’re going to have five added minutes.
Two minutes plus injury time left at Anfield.
Save! Another terrific save from de Gea as Wanyama dummies and then unleashes with his left foot. From the corner, Fonte’s header is goal-bound but punched clear and United are all over the place.
Four minutes added on at Anfield and not a lot happening. Liverpool huffing and puffing but don’t look like finding a winner.
Time running out for Southampton and Liverpool.
Rooney nips into steal possession and United are in the corner running down the clock.
Liverpool win a late corner but Lallana fires wide when it drops to him at the edge of the area.
Full-time! United hold on for a big three points as they move up to second place, two points behind Man City.
And it’s over at Anfield where Liverpool have been held by Norwich.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon and make sure to check the site throughout the evening for full reaction to both results.
