Despite a valiant first-half effort at Anfield against Liverpool, Southampton were unable to pick up anything from the Premier League leaders.
In the end, the Reds prevailed 4-0 thanks to goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah – twice. However, the Saints did have their chances, certainly in the first half – they actually managed more than their opponents before the interval, leading ten to eight. Liverpool, though, were just too strong after the break – considering they currently top the Premier League by 22 points, though, that is no embarrassment.
Transfer deadline day saw two major outgoings at St. Mary’s Stadium. Maya Yoshida completed a loan move to Sampdoria until the end of the season, whilst Cedric made the move to fellow Premier League side Arsenal on loan too.
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Whilst Yoshida was not a regular – he started just six matches in the Premier League this term before his move – that was not the case with Cedric. He started 16 matches at right-back for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this term, meaning that a new player will need to take over on that side of the back four.
In the long-term, that is likely to be new loan signing Kyle Walker-Peters, but it was James Ward-Prowse who took up that role this weekend. Although he is by nature a central midfielder, he impressed against the league leaders and European champions.
Although Liverpool were rampant in the end, the 25-year-old was his team’s best player with a SofaScore rating of 7.2. Both defensively and offensively, he stood out amongst his teammates.
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Going forward, the £16.2m-valued man was his team’s most creative force, even from the back four. He had four key passes – only Roberto Firmino managed as many during the match – whilst he also provided the most crosses (3) and completed one dribble as well.
At the back, he performed to a high standard – he had the joint-most tackles (4), and the second-most clearances amongst his teammates with five.
Allowing Soares to leave was something of a risk. The 28-year-old has bags of top-tier experience, and even though Walker-Peters has come in, he has just 12 Premier League matches to his name. Whilst it may only have been one game, Ward-Prowse stuck to his defensive task diligently and provided an attacking threat too. The Southampton ace showed his manager that he has nothing much to worry about – he can slot in to that role whenever Hasenhuttl needs him to.
Meanwhile, Carl Anka reveals the chances of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaving in the summer.