It is crunch time in the Premier League as the business end of the season hots up, but Liverpool looked unaffected by the growing pressure as they trained at Melwood on Friday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have just three games remaining this season as they look to seal a top four finish and secure Champions League football next year.
Southampton come to Anfield on Sunday, with the Reds aiming to do something they haven’t managed on three occasions yet this season - score past Fraser Forster.
Liverpool currently occupy third place in the league table after a spirited 1-0 win over Watford on Monday thanks to a spectacular overhead kick from Emre Can.
A four point gap has opened up between the Reds and Manchester United in fifth as a result.
That could extend to seven points by the time United face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium later on Sunday.
Klopp will be boosted by the sight of Philippe Coutinho taking part in the session at a sunny Melwood on Friday.
The Brazilian star was forced off in the early exchanges at Vicarage Road earlier in the week, but suffered only a dead leg.
Liverpool will be hoping to welcome Adam Lallana back to the starting lineup after he made his first team return by replacing Coutinho in the 13th minute.
Daniel Sturridge is expected to retain his place in the squad after making a six minute cameo at the end of Monday’s match.
Southampton Under-23s fell to a 4-2 defeat against their Manchester City counterparts in their final game of the Premier League 2 season.
Nathan Tella’s fine solo strike just before the interval lit the blue touch paper, and that momentum continued into the second-half when Sam McQueen added to it from a corner. City pulled one back through Sadou Diallo before Rodney Kongolo’s leveller.
And the hosts come back was complete around 10 minutes from time through Charlie Oliver, before Lukas Nmecha netted a late penalty.
Technical Director Martin Hunter named Charlie Austin and Matt Targett in his starting line-up for their first appearances since injury.
There were also starting berths for Jérémy Pied, McQueen, Harrison Reed and goalkeeper Mouez Hassen.
Both sides were looking to establish control early on, and Saints first opportunity almost came when Olufela Olomola released Tella down the left, but his deep cross evaded McQueen.
On 16, Tella was involved again when he found space on the edge of the box, before seeing a firm, right-footed shot collected by Daniel Grimshaw.
That positive start continued when Callum Slattery pushed forward and crossed from the right for Charlie Austin, whose powerful header was saved.
That pressure paid dividends on 43 minutes, when Tella’s weaving run from deep saw him beat the City defence before finishing low past Grimshaw and give Saints the advantage at the interval.
At the start of the second-half, there was no let up from Hunter’s men who immediately tightened their grip on the game when McQueen found space in the box to control Reed’s corner and made no mistake with the close range finish.
With Hassen rarely troubled, Slattery almost put Saints three to the good when Olomola’s deflected shot fell into his path, but the midfielder couldn’t quite shape his curling shot on target.
City did respond though when good work down the right from Javairo Dilrosun saw the ball cut back for Diallo, who kept his cool to slot his effort past Hassen.
Having drawn confidence from that, the hosts continued to press forward and they netted twice in quick succession. First Rodney Kongolo levelled proceedings after a neat one-two with Paolo Fernandes and Charlie Oliver netted minutes later to make it 3-2.
With eight minutes remaining, things got worse for Saints when Nmecha was brought down in the box. He dusted himself down to send Hassen the wrong way from the spot.
Tella was dismissed late on for a second bookable offence, as the defeat then saw Saints relegated from Division One of the Premier League 2.
CHARLIE Austin returned to action after almost five months out injured tonight.
The striker, fit again after a shoulder injury, started for Saints under-23s in their final game of the season at Manchester City.
It was Austin’s first match since he picked up his injury playing for Saints on the night they crashed out of the Europa League against Hapoel at St Mary’s on December 8.
Austin was named in a fairly strong Saints XI that also included Matt Targett, Jeremy Pied, Sam McQueen, Florin Gardos and Harrison Reed.
Saints needed a good result against City, who are second in Division 1 of the under-23 league, to ease their relegation fears.
They got off to a good start and led at half time through Nathan Tella.
It got even better when McQueen doubled the advantage shortly into the second half.
But Saints could not hang on and keeper Mouez Hassen conceded four goals in 17 minutes through Sadou Diallo, Rodney Kongolo, Charles Oliver and a Lukas Nmecha penalty.
Saints boss Claude Puel must now decide whether to bring Austin back into the first team squad. Sunday’s trip to Anfield could come too soon, but next Wednesday’s home game with Arsenal is a more realistic shout.
Austin remains Saints’ top scorer with nine goals this season.
Saints took a two-goal lead in their final Premier League 2 match, but were eventually beaten by Man City who came from behind to win and seal a 2nd place finish in the table.
“Everyone is very disappointed,” explained Hunter.
“And a lot of the players, including myself, are also very angry. We were 2-0 up and then have conceded some very sloppy goals from some naïve defending.
“We were looking comfortable and then missed two good chances before they got their first goal. We keep saying how important the two penalty boxes are and we have been penalised today for some poor stuff around the box.”
Nathan Tella opened the scoring for Saints just before half time, as he dribbled from inside his own half and then fired low into the far corner.
And Hunter was pleased with the performance of his latest recruit.
“I thought he was terrific,” he continued.
“He showed lots of energy and grew into the game as it went on. He also scored a great solo goal to give us the lead.
“So we are delighted with him and delighted that he will continue to be a part of our progression.”
Southampton boss Claude Puel insists he does not fear the sack and defended his first season in charge.
Puel is battling to save his job after coming under fire from the Saints ’ fans over his style of play and claims of training ground spats with his players.
But the Frenchman, who steered the club to their first major final since 1979, said: “I am surprised to see these reports. For me, it has been an interesting season with many games — European games and the [EFL Cup] final at Wembley against Manchester United.
“We have improved players like Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse and got them in the national team.
“I came here for a project, to continue this work, to improve many players — like Maya Yoshida, like Oriol Romeu and like Jack Stephens. I think it’s important to continue this work for the future of Southampton and to correct some details.
“We are ninth in the table with all these games and injuries. I think this is okay. Now it is important to finish the season strongly. I want always to try to improve. We have the second youngest team in the league and next season we can play good football.
“I do not feel pressure because I am focused about the work and about the training sessions.”
Southampton travel to Anfield on Sunday looking for a repeat of their EFL Cup semi-final win over Champions League-chasing Liverpool there back in January.
Southampton and Watford on alert to grab Hull boss Marco Silva this summer
Puel added: “Liverpool are a good team, but I am sure we can have opportunities to win this game.”
CLAUDE PUEL is targeting Hull’s Harry Maguire as a potential replacement for Jose Fonte, writes Darren Lewis.
The Southampton boss is a big admirer of the 24-year-old centre-back, who impressed in the Tigers’ goalless draw at St Mary’s last weekend.
Fonte quit the Saints in January for West Ham. Spurs are also big fans of Maguire.
Hull boss Marco Silva last week admitted the player was on his way to the top, saying: “It’s clear to me he will have a big career in the future.”
Puel is battling to save his job after coming under fire from Saints fans over his style of play and in the wake of a series of spats with high-profile players.
But Puel believes leading the south coast side to the EFL Cup final and a top half Premier League finish will be enough to keep him at the helm.
He said: “I am surprised to see this because for me it has been an interesting season with many games, European games and the final at Wembley against Manchester United.
“We have improved players like Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse and got them in the national team.
“I came here for a project, to continue this work, to improve many players like Maya Yoshida, like Oriol Romeu and like Jack Stephens.
“I think it’s important to continue this work for the future of Southampton and to correct some details.
It’s Liverpool’s penultimate home game of the Premier League season, when they host Southampton, their conquerors in the League Cup semi-final whose 90th-minute Shane Long winner at Anfield put them through to Wembley.
It’s on Sunday, May 7 at Anfield.
It’s at 1:30pm, known as lunchtime in Southampton, dinnertime in the north of England.
Sky Sports 1 will be showing the live broadcast of the game in standard definition and Sky Sports 1 HD for those who enjoy a surfeit of pixels .
Jürgen Klopp revealed on Friday that he expects Philippe Coutinho to play despite his playmaker limping off early during last Monday’s victory over Watford.
The youth tournament, which takes place in the home city of club partners Under Armour, is set to feature more than 150 grassroots teams from across the United States of America.
It will follow on from the inaugural edition of the Southampton Cup, which will see 64 sides from around the world competing in Southampton this August.
The club will be working closely with Under Armour, as well as Maryland-based company Elite Tournaments, with the aim of growing the Southampton Cup into a series of global competitions that can help develop young players around the world.
To underline this commitment, 30 players will be selected from the event to travel to England in spring 2018 for a week of training at Saints, allowing them to experience what it is like to be an Academy player at the club.
The youngsters will be immersed into life at Staplewood Campus, where they will be able to benefit from the advice and expertise of staff in the world-renowned Football Development & Support Centre, which has produced players such as Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and James Ward-Prowse.
Southampton’s Technical Director, Martin Hunter, said: “This tournament will offer a fantastic platform for youngsters from across the United States to not only showcase their ability, but also to learn about the principles of the Southampton Way and how they can apply that to their own game.
“We also look forward to welcoming the selected group of players to Staplewood Campus next year, where we will provide them with a unique opportunity to further their development.”
Mike Libber, President of Elite Tournaments, added: “Southampton is known throughout the globe as a world-class club with one of the best academy systems in football. The opportunity for American-based players to learn and experience the Southampton Way will have benefits far reaching beyond the tournament.”
The tournament is set to take place on Saturday 2nd December and Sunday 3rd December, in Columbia, Maryland. For more details please visit elitetournaments.com
Claude Puel has insisted he is not under pressure at St Mary’s and expects to remain at the Southampton helm next term.
The French manager revealed his shock at reports claiming he must improve the south coast club’s results before the end of the campaign to retain his job.
Southampton have slipped to two defeats and a draw in their last three matches, but former Nice manager Puel claims to have his club’s continued backing.
Asked if he is preparing for next season as normal, Puel replied: "Yes of course, of course. I came here for a project, to continue this work to improve all these young players.
"Many players have become starting players this year, like Maya Yoshida, Oriol Romeu, Jack Stephens; so it’s important to continue this role and keep building the future of Southampton.
"I’ve been surprised to see these reports [about his future], because it seems for me it has been an interesting season with many games.
"There have been European games, cup games, with quality, we reached the final at Wembley against Manchester United, and we’ve also improved many players.
"Many players can still improve, so it’s been interesting work I think. So it has surprised me to see and read all this speculation in particular.’’
Asked if Saints’ recent run has put his position under increased pressure, Puel continued: "No, no; I’m focused on my work and training sessions.
"I cannot believe this, I’m surprised to read these things.
"It’s important just to keep our concentration about this and not about speculation.’’
Saints face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, kick-starting a testing five-game run to the end of the campaign, with Arsenal and Manchester United still to come at St Mary’s.
Charlie Austin still has a slim chance of featuring against Liverpool, in what would be his first appearance since December.
The former QPR striker has been sidelined since dislocating a shoulder in Saints’ 1-1 Europa League draw with Hapoel on Dec. 8.
Puel has challenged his side to end the season on a high, by adding a "clinical edge’’ to their play.
"There has been a lot of disappointment after many games, but the quality and work was very interesting and it’s important for us to finish strongly now,’’ said Puel.
"We’re ninth in the table with all these games, all these injuries, so it’s okay in the project.
"This group has gained maturity and experience this year.
"Sometimes we lack consistency and a clinical edge, and all of this we have to correct for next season, because we can do better and we want to retain strong ambition, because we are competitors.’’
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