Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Liverpool v Southampton
Mark Lawrenson looks ahead to Liverpool's clash with Southampton on Saturday afternoon
Mark Lawrenson is backing Liverpool to continue their recent upturn in form by claiming a 2-0 victory over Southampton at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds head into the game looking to build on their impressive 4-1 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium before the international break.
Liverpool currently find themselves in fifth place in the Premier League table and 12 points behind leaders Manchester City after 11 games of the new campaign.
Jurgen Klopp will be looking for his side to improve on their fourth-placed finish in the top flight last season as they look to try and challenge for the title this term.
And former Reds defender Lawrenson is fully expecting to see Liverpool have too much for the visitors and claim the three points on Saturday afternoon.
Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: “The spotlight will be on Virgil van Dijk, whom Southampton refused to sell to Liverpool in the summer. It will be very interesting to see how he gets on at Anfield.
“But he will not be the only centre-half that people will be watching if Reds defender Joe Gomez plays in that position after doing extremely well there for England.
“As far as the games goes, I am going for Liverpool to win it.
“Even if Sadio Mane is not fit, and even if manager Jurgen Klopp is not well enough to be there, Liverpool should have too much for Saints.”
Liverpool will be hoping to keep a clean sheet on Saturday after having conceded more goals than any of the other teams above them in the Premier League table.
The Reds will also be aiming to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, with Liverpool set to take on Sevilla in Spain next Tuesday night.
