Source: Southampton FC official Facebook pa https://www.facebook.com/southamptonfc
Southampton was hosting Liverpool at St Mary’s at the 1st of March. Mauricio Pochettino only made one change to his team, Dejan Lovren is fit to start again so Maya Yoshida moves to the bench. Gastón Ramirez is on the bench and he is a good substitution to have, especially if we look at his current form.
If you look properly at the Liverpool away kit, you will notice that the top of their right sock is purple while the top of the left sock is black. After seeing this, you would almost think that they don’t know the difference between right and left and that is why they are just wearing different socks.
Luke Shaw receives an unlucky blow in the 8th minute causing him to fall down. Not great timing either to have him injured since he just received a call-up for the senior England squad for a friendly coming Wednesday. Roy Hodgson is also sitting in the crowd to watch him play. Lucky for Shaw he’s alright to keep on playing.
It doesn’t take long for Luis Suarez to strike. 15 minutes into the match and Liverpool are on the attack. José Fonte is trying to cover Suarez and has been successful until this point, when he slides down to stop to the ball, causing the ball to deflect from Fonte towards Suarez. Suarez knows exactly where the right post is and shoots it with one accurate shot right into that bottom right corner. Artur Boruc didn’t stood a chance against this Suarez goal.
Captain Adam Lallana gets his biggest chance to make an equaliser in the 31st minute when Rickie Lambert head passes the ball towards him. Lallana might have expected his teammate Lambert to have a go himself instead of passing it on. However Lallana takes his chance but unluckily hits the left post.
With three minutes left in the first half, Southamptons top goal scorer gets a chance. Luke Shaw crosses the ball to the box, the ball seems to be targeted at Rickie Lambert but might a have a little too much speed for that. Lambert, who knows Jay Rodriguez is right behind him, lets the ball pass through his legs. Jay Rodriguez takes a clear, sharp shot towards the centre of the goal but goalie Simon Mignolet seems to be in a sharp mood today as he blocks the ball.
Gastón Ramirez comes on the field at the start of the second half. This early substitution seems to have several explanations. Either Steven Davis incurred an injury and that’s is why he is taken off the field or Ramirez made such a great impression on Mauricio Pochettino last week that he decides to give him some more playtime this match. Gastón Ramirez also needs more playtime if he wants to make it into the Uruguayan team to be able to play in Brazil. Whatever the reason is, Ramirez seems to be in good shape when he already creates a chance in the first minute he’s on the field. But this chance gets blocked.
12 minutes into the second half and Liverpool get a second chance. Luis Suarez is running towards goal and I’m wondering where Dejan Lovren is to stop him. As Luis Suarez passes the ball towards Raheem Sterling, the substitution who only came on a minute before and probably makes his first touch here. I have found Lovren who dived in while he would have been more effective staying up. Sterling shoots the ball in the bottom right corner, Artur Boruc didn’t stand a chance and he dives the wrong way. Raheem Sterling doubled Liverpools lead after being on the field for a bit more than a minute.
In the 72nd minute Steven Gerrard shoots a sharp shot at goal but Artur Boruc punches it away. Right there Boruc shows what he’s worth as he manages to block two corners, which are followed by this save, as well.
Mauricio Pochettino makes a double change with 15 minutes of game time left. Sam Gallagher comes on for Rickie Lambert and Victor Wanyama for Jack Cork. These are Southamptons final substitutions.
Victor Wanyama slides in to win to ball while also snaps Luis Suarez in the 83rd minute. Referee Lee Probert rewards Wanyama with a yellow card for his action. I can only wish that Wanyama would have tackled Suarez harder so he could have left the field injured.
With one minute of added time left, Luis Suarez tries to get another chance for Liverpool when he decides to dive into the box. José Fonte might have had a little hand in it as he tried to block the ball, but looking at the replay several times, I also have to come to the conclusion that it pretty much looks like Suarez hooks his foot around Fonte’s ankle on purpose so he can scene his fall. Suarez wouldn’t be Suarez to not take a chance like this to make a dive. As Fonte was just staying in place and made no movement to purposely trip Suarez.
Unlucky for the Saints, this all happens right in front of Lee Probert who appoints Liverpool a penalty. Captain Steven Gerrard shoots the ball into the top right corner. Luis Suarez went from not having scored against Southampton this season, to having a hand in all of the 3 goals which were scored today.
I don’t think Lee Probert should have given Liverpool a penalty as Southampton didn’t receive a penalty either in the 13th minute when Adam Lallana gets pushed down in Liverpools box. But I can see how Probert was fooled by Suarez’s his acting. Suarez must live a double life as a drama actor as I have never seen a player who exaggerates every touch so much. I have the feeling Luis Suarez should have been to the big party tonight in America and collect his Oscar for Best Actor in Professional Sport.
After watching the whole match, I actually can’t believe Liverpool managed to score 3 goals while the Saints didn’t score at all. Both teams were pretty even in chances this match and Southampton just had a bit more possession. Liverpools chances were more on target though. The only explanation I have here is that Liverpool seems to be more accurate with the chances they get and manage to let half of them end in a goal. Southampton however needs to practice accuracy with their chances and shots. Yes Liverpool is a hard side to play but I don’t think Southampton should have lost with a 3 goals difference.
Here’s the caricature I draw up from Luis Suarez diving to get a penalty.
Don’t forget to give the players your rating if you have watched the match: http://tui.fansnetwork.co.uk/match-ratings/display/match:8230/rss
asaintsfcangel 