Liverpool surrendered their advantage in the race for Champions League football once again after failing to score in a goalless draw against bogey side Southampton for the fourth time this season.
James Milner’s first penalty failure in more than seven years proved decisive as the Saints proved adept at denying their opponents – as they had done in the reverse league encounter and the two-legged EFL Cup semi-final in January.
Liverpool’s goal drought against the south-coast club now stands at 428 minutes since Daniel Sturridge scored in the 22nd minute of a 3-2 defeat at St Mary’s in March last year.
A point may have lifted them back into third, above Manchester City, but it left the door open for fifth-placed Manchester United and Arsenal, who both have matches in hand.
We analyse the performance of one of Liverpool’s key players; Philippe Coutinho.
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 3
Pass accuracy – 83.1%
Key passes – 2
Touches – 81
Dribbles – 2
Dispossessed – 2
Liverpool were only really able to test Southampton from shots outside the box and even then they were tame, all largely coming from the boot of Coutinho.
In the first half the Brazilian was dropping far too deep to try and find the ball and space – typified by the fact he failed to have a single touch in the visitor’s box in the first 45 minutes.
The expectation to create something from nothing rests on his and Roberto Firmino’s shoulders and when they are virtually anonymous, like today, Liverpool struggle to find an opening.
But a lot of that was down to the fact he was shifted to the left of three and the Reds were far too narrow as a result.
The introduction of Daniel Sturridge in the second half gave Coutinho an outlet to deliver to and there were flashes of ingenuity as a result. But by that point Southampton had well and truly settled in to seeing the game out.
24th min: Coutinho really struggled to get on the ball in the opening stages and after the pedestrian pace of play in and around the box, he took the initiative and drove towards the area. His curled effort, though, was straight at Fraser Forster.
59th min: Nathaniel Clyne displayed some urgency from a throw-in but his cross evaded the awaiting Coutinho – emblematic of his afternoon the game just passing him by.
75th min: A touch of class from Daniel Sturridge to take in the high ball on the right. The substitute found Coutinho, who dropped his shoulder, shaped up to curl one with his left foot but his effort was easy picking for Forster.
Because of Gigi Wijnaldum’s lack of drive from midfield it forced Coutinho to collect the ball from the half-way line where he was incredibly ineffectual.
However, any flash of quality was coming through him but otherwise, if the Brazilian doesn’t perform, neither do Liverpool.
Ultimately, a forgettable performance on an utterly forgettable day for the Reds.
5/10
