Shane Long is confident he can solve Southampton’s scoring woes – despite his own SEVEN-MONTH goal drought.
Wasteful Saints have failed to find the net in nine of their last twelve matches ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke.
Republic of Ireland striker Long has gone 18 games since scoring against doomed Sunderland in February but said: “I hope I can get a run of games and pick up a bit of form.
“The more games I play the more confident I will be and the more goals I will score.
“For me it is all about game time. I remember in my Reading days I think I scored one in 13 but finished with 25 goals by the end of the season.
“The manager kept playing me and giving me that chance and that confidence makes a big difference for a striker.
“Hopefully I can get a run of two, three or four games in the team and the goals will come.
“I feel like I am playing well and the chances will come. I have been scoring in training and been flying on the pitch.”
Saints captain Virgil van Dijk will find himself on the subs’ bench again
Boss Mauricio Pellegrino hopes the Dutchman has learned lessons from his failed attempts to force through a move to Liverpool.
Pellegrino said “I use every single day and try to learn and for the players it is the same. I like to see people who are open minded and learn from the past. Hopefully that is happening.”
Liverpool may have failed in their initial attempts to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk but they are set to return for him in January.
The Dutchman is back playing for Saints after handing in a transfer request earlier this year but the bookies are still backing him to make the Anfield switch.
Liverpool have been made favourites to sign him by every bookmaker, despite them stating they would back away from the pursuit.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will, however, face competition for his signature from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Here is the rest of the Liverpool news from Saturday’s papers…
Liverpool’s chances of bringing Naby Keita to Anfield in January are slim, it is understood.
The Guinean international has been under fire from the press in Germany and his own boss after RB Leipzig slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Besiktas in the Champions League, report the Liverpool Echo.
That leaves Leipzig bottom of their group with a double-header against Champions League stalwarts FC Porto on the horizon after the international break - leading to speculation the Reds could get their man six months earlier than anticipated.
Liverpool’s summer long pursuit of the highly-rated midfielder was spurned by Leipzig until a compromise was struck with the Reds securing his services from July 1, 2018.
Jurgen Klopp claims he does not think anyone wants to see Liverpool play at Arsenal on Christmas Eve.
Sky are considering switching the game to December 24 at 3pm at the Emirates and Klopp says it makes no sense.
He accepts that the clubs have little say because they signed the latest TV deal, but says the broadcasters must be careful not to damage the product with their demands.
“I always said that the broadcaster has to consider that the wonderful thing they sell - and they do give a lot of money to the clubs - depends on the quality and freshness of the players,” said the Reds boss.
Callum Slattery halved the deficit midway through the second period, converting the game’s third spot-kick opportunity, but Saints were left to rue a missed penalty chance in the first half.
“The start was pretty poor,” Jaïdi commented in the immediate aftermath of the defeat. "On a positive note the last 20 minutes of the game we reacted well, created some chances and could have scored more.
"I think the boys need to learn, especially in cup games, you need to take your chances. You need to stand up to the challenge, we could have kept the ball better, we gave away a lot of possession in the first half.
“We were frustrated not controlling the game, and they [Watford] gained in confidence. We conceded sloppy goals, it is a learning curve for the boys.”
The U23s boss is keen to develop his young side’s ability to cope with the psychological demands of the game, after going behind so early on in the tie.
Jaïdi added: "The penalty save made it difficult for us, especially mentally for the younger boys. At half time I told them they need to step up, they need to react.
“It is a big part of the game, the mental side, especially at 23s level - there is no time to be disappointed and have your head down. If you lose concentration and confidence it is hard to recover.”