Liverpool take on Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, so we simulated the game to predict what could happen
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Liverpool's predicted XI vs Southampton
Liverpool's predicted XI vs Southampton(Image: EA Sports)
It's top versus bottom in the Premier League later today, with Liverpool welcoming Southampton to Anfield as the Reds look to continue their title push.
A strong defensive display led by a tremendous Alisson performance saw Liverpool snatch a 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain midweek, with Harvey Elliott's late strike ensuring the Reds took a lead into the Champions League Round of 16 second leg at Anfield next week. But, for now, attention turns back to the Premier League, with Arne Slot's side looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Victory for Liverpool against Southampton later today would see them go 16 points clear of Arsenal, with the Gunners in action against Manchester United tomorrow. The Reds have already taken on Southampton twice this season, winning 3-2 in the Premier League before picking up a 2-1 win in the Carabao Cup.
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Cody Gakpo is a doubt once again, while Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez remain out with injuries of their own. So, can Liverpool make it three Premier League wins on the spin this weekend? We used EA FC 25 to get a score prediction.
Liverpool vs Southampton Premier League score predicted
To complete this simulation, we used EA FC 25 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Liverpool could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their starting XI as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones; Salah, Elliott, Diaz; Nunez.
We predict that the Saints could set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, Aribo, Wellington; Dibling, Fernandes; Onuachu.
Liverpool were all over Southampton in the first 20 minutes of the game, but poor finishes from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones saw the score remain level when the Reds really should've taken the lead. It was a dominant first-half performance from the Reds who looked in full control, but they were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Paul Onuachu turned a corner in from close range with Southampton's first shot of the game.
After failing to score in the first half, it only took Slot's side four minutes to score after the restart, with Trent Alexander-Arnold cutting onto his left foot and curling a shot into the far corner after bursting into the box down the right. But quickly after, the Reds slipped into their old ways, with an abundance of shots failing to trouble Aaron Ramsdale in goal.
As the game went on, Liverpool became more desperate, but a late counterattack saw the Reds score what was the decisive goal to make it 2-1.
Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 to Liverpool
Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 to Liverpool(Image: EA Sports)
As the visitors ventured forward with a rare attack, a fantastic challenge from Ibrahima Konate stopped the Southampton move in its tracks, allowing the Reds to hit the Saints on the break. Konate found Alexis Mac Allister who fired a ball forward for Mohamed Salah to chase, and one-on-one, the Egyptian powered a shot into the corner to secure a late three points for Liverpool.
EA FC 25 predicted final score: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton