OptiNews - Friday 09 to Thursday 15 February 2018

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

HALF TIME: #SaintsFCU18s 0-0 #NCFC

The hosts have looked the more likely, but it remains goalless at the break.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 10/02/2018 11:51:58

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| Klopp hints at start for teenager against SouthamptonEMPIREOFTHEKOP |
| | Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 27 tips: Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah lead captaincy picks; James Ward-Prowse in top formFIRSTPOST |
| | This £13.5m-rated ace could be the next Southampton star to move to Liverpool | | Where football transfer rumours …THETRANSFERTAVERN |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

46: #SaintsFCU18s get the second-half going here at Staplewood, as they look to take all three #U18PL points agains… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/962296612566560768

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

GOAL: #SaintsFCU18s 1-0 #NCFC U18s (Hansen 60’)

Hansen puts Saints in front after racing away and finishing low pa… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/962301191530016769

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Match Preview: Saints vs Liverpool

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THE MATCH

Southampton vs Liverpool

Sunday 11th February, 4.30pm GMT

St Mary’s

Premier League

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Southampton return to St Mary’s on a high after defeating close rivals West Brom by three goals to two last weekend but it was the nature of the performance that will have pleased supporters the most.

Behind early on to Ahmed Hegazi’s header, Saints rallied in style through Mario Lemina, Jack Stephens and James Ward-Prowse to power to victory at The Hawthorn’s in one of the most important fixtures of the season so far.

Concentration, determination and control throughout key periods of the game were key to beating the Baggies and the same will be true of Jürgen Klopp’s team who have struggled for consistency.

A 4-3 win over Manchester City seemed significant in the middle of January but the Reds followed it up with consecutive defeats to Swansea and West Brom.

The third-placed visitors were comfortable winners in the reverse fixture in November but failed to net against Saints in both of their previous trips to St Mary’s last season.

TEAM NEWS

Southampton: There were no new injury concerns to report in Mauricio Pellegrino’s press briefing on Thursday afternoon, with Charlie Austin the only outstanding absentee.

Liverpool: Adam Lallana, Ragnar Klavan and Alberto Moreno are in contention to return to the Reds squad, but Sunday’s game may come too soon for defender Joe Gomez.

The Champions League meeting with Porto the following week is a more realistic target for the Englishman.

FORM GUIDE

Southampton’s previous five:

West Brom (a) W 3-2

Brighton (h) D 1-1

Watford (h) W 1-0 (FA Cup)

Tottenham (h) D 1-1

Watford (a) D 2-2

Liverpool’s previous five:

Tottenham (h) D 2-2

Huddersfield (a) W 3-0

West Brom (h) L 3-2 (FA Cup)

Swansea (a) L 1-0

Man City (h) W 4-3

TOP PERFORMERS

Jack Stephens had never scored a senior goal for Saints before 2018, but the defender now remarkably has three to his name, scoring in consecutive games against Watford, Brighton and West Brom.

Fellow Academy graduate James Ward-Prowse has scored or assisted five times in his previous five matches, supplying two of his team’s goals at The Hawthorns from set-pieces.

New Saint Guido Carrillo was quietly effective in the west Midlands and will have his eyes firmly set on a second start for the club against Liverpool.

Top scorers: Charlie Austin (6), James Ward-Prowse (4) Steven Davis, Jack Stephens, Manolo Gabbiadini, Dušan Tadić (all 3)

Most assists: Ryan Bertrand (3), Nathan Redmond (3), Dušan Tadić (3)

Mohamed Salah took his personal tally to 28 with a superb individual goal in last Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Spurs at Anfield.

Joined by Roberto Firmino, Liverpool’s frontline has been unstoppable at times this term; both scored in the 3-0 win over Saints in November. Preventing the supply lines to both will be critical if the hosts are to get something from the game.

Top scorers: Mohamed Salah (28), Roberto Firmino (19)

Most assists: Roberto Firmino (10), Mohamed Salah (8)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

All-time record:

Played: 107

Southampton: 30

Draws: 25

Liverpool: 52

Previous four meetings:

November 2017: Liverpool 3-0 Southampton

May 2017: Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

Jan 2017: Liverpool 0-1 Southampton (EFL Cup second-leg) (Long)

Jan 2017: Southampton 1-0 Liverpool (EFL Cup first-leg) (Redmond)

DID YOU KNOW?

There has been just one goal scored in the last two meetings between these sides in all competitions at St. Mary’s – in the two before that, there were 12 goals scored.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

As the final home fixture before Chinese New Year on Friday 16th February, there will be celebrations aplenty ahead of kick-off at St Mary’s.

A pair of Chinese dragons will light up the pre-match build-up outside the stadium and pitch-side before two LED messages in Chinese – “We March On” and “Saints wish you a Happy Chinese New Year” – welcome the players out from the tunnel.

Fittingly, ahead of what will be the year of the dog, Sammy Saint is set to accompany the dragons throughout the day, handing out red envelopes, one of which will contain a golden ticket for a signed shirt, while others will contain additional prizes.

NOT AT THE GAME?

Tickets have been in high demand for this match, but if you’ve not been able to get one then don’t worry, as we’ve got you covered.

Our immersive Matchday Live centre at southamptonfc.com provides the quickest way to get all the build-up and updates from the game, while it also brings you free commentary of the match.

Additionally, you can get plenty of updates and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our various social channels:

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

GOAL: #SaintsFCU18s 2-0 #NCFC U18s (Enzo Robise 73’)

Robise finshes from close range to double Saints’ lead here! :muscle:

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 10/02/2018 12:52:09

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| Southampton Vs Liverpool Preview | Team News, Stats & Key MenEPLINDEX |
| | Liverpool news and transfers - LIVEGOLIVERPOOL |
| | Liverpool Fan View: Three key battles against SouthamptonYAHOOSPORTUK |
| | Van Dijk Return Should Not Be A Distraction For Saints Fans - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | Rickie Lambert on Reds, Saints and ‘incredible’ LallanaLIVFCNET |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

FULL-TIME: #SaintsFCU18s 2-0 #NCFC U18s

It’s all three #U18PL points for Craig Fleming’s men! :innocent:

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Read our report from Staplewood, as #SaintsFCU18s recorded a 2-0 victory over their #NCFC counterparts in #U18PL: http://sfcne.ws/NCFCU18Report

Retweets: 2

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 10/02/2018 13:52:19

| | Liverpool boss Klopp rubbishes claims about stealing this player | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
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| Ranking all Liverpool’s signings from Southampton from worst to best - Article - Sport360SPORT360 |
| | TheUgly Inside TV ! Saints V Liverpool Preview - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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Liverpool team news: Van Dijk update, Klopp without star at Southampton, three return

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Virgil van Dijk to start against former club Southampton

Van Dijk left Southampton for Liverpool in a £75m deal in January after months of transfer speculation.

The Dutchman gave away a late penalty in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham last time out but should keep his place at St Mary’s.

Fellow Liverpool defenders Ragnar Klavan and Alberto Moreno have recovered from muscle injuries to take their places in the squad.

Right-back Joe Gomez is unlikely to feature because of a minor knee complaint while midfielder Adam Lallana returns after a thigh problem.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 10/02/2018 14:52:33

| | Klopp expects a hostile reception for world record signing Van DijkBELFASTTELE |
| | Southampton Fan View: Now for Liverpool…YAHOOSPORTUK |
| | Klopp reveals Liverpool attacker is a doubt to start v SouthamptonTHISISFUTBOLCOM |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC boss Mauricio Pellegrino looks ahead to the visit of #LFC to St Mary’s in the #PL:

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Opposition View: Klopp on Saints

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The Reds head to Porto on Wednesday night for the first leg of their last 16 tie, but Klopp insists he is only focused on the clash at St Mary’s for the moment.

“I never think about a European game until after the league game,” he said.

“We cannot and will not think about the Champions League. It’s not about rotating, it’s a completely normal week between the two games. We won’t think about Porto. We have enough time after the game.”

Klopp is also anticipating a hard-fought encounter on the south coast, as Saints look to make it a fourth consecutive home game without defeat against Liverpool, who are expected to field Virgil van Dijk on his first return to St Mary’s since departing for Anfield last month.

“There’s a special relationship between Liverpool and Southampton, it won’t be a friendly game,” said the Liverpool boss. “We fight for everything, they fight for everything.

“They will want to show their quality but we have our own targets.

“They had a sticky start, but in 2018 their results have been okay – they drew with Tottenham, stuff like that.

“They are a good team, and I don’t get why they are in the region of the table they are in. They will 100 per cent go for it.”

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 10/02/2018 15:52:46

| | Liverpool boss Klopp makes Van Dijk warning very clear before Southampton game101GREATGOALS |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:soon: #SaintsFC :vs: #LFC

Get game ready for Sunday with our #PL match preview: http://sfcne.ws/MPLFCh

Retweets: 1

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:soon: #SaintsFC :vs: #LFC

Get game ready for Sunday with our #PL match preview: http://sfcne.ws/PreLFCH1718

Retweets: 2

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

U18 Report: Saints 2-0 Norwich City

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Kornelius Hansen’s strike on the hour mark got the ball rolling, before Enzo Robise doubled the advantage 13 minutes later to see Saints take all three Under-18 Premier League points.

Craig Fleming’s young side moved the ball well in the opening exchanges and that almost paid dividends when Kayne Ramsay’s deep cross was cleared with Hansen waiting.

The visitors had their first chance moments later, when full-back Ethan Vaughan’s cross from the right evaded Christoph Klarer, only for Adam Idah to fire into the side-netting at the back post.

On 10 minutes, Hansen was involved again when his floated corner was powered home by the head of Klarer but the referee ruled it out for a foul inside the area.

It was a tight contest, and the next chance of note came when Jake Vokins’ sweeping cross from the left was met by Sean Brennan, who saw his right-footed effort go inches wide.

The hosts were looking the more likely to break the deadlock and Robise’s burst through the middle almost did just that shortly before the break. His pace saw him get in behind the Norwich backline before his effort was pushed away and Taymar Fleary’s follow-up blocked.

But they finally made the breakthrough when Hansen was set away down the left, before keeping his composure to fire low past Blair with his right foot.

As the game wore on, Saints continued to threaten and were rewarded when Robise deservedly doubled the advantage from close range to seal the win.

The visitors were reduced to ten men late on when Anis Mehmeti was sent off for his reaction to a challenge and the ensuing melee.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 10/02/2018 16:52:59

| | Predicting Liverpool’s lineup vs SouthamptonTHISISANFIELD |
| | Merson predicts ‘disappointing’ Liverpool’s trip to SouthamptonEMPIREOFTHEKOP |
| | Liverpool news and transfers - LIVEICNORTHWALES |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:thinking:

Can you identify all 20 of these #SaintsFC scorers against #LFC in our pre-match quiz? http://sfcne.ws/QuizLH1718

Retweets: 3

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