Southampton v Liverpool preview: Saints host Reds as they bow out
They haven’t put up much of a fight on their way down as they head into their farewell match on a 12-game winless run (D3, L9), with that being their third-longest stretch without victory in their entire league history.
Perhaps it’s better the Saints know their fate prior to the final day, as winning their last PL game of the season only once in the last six attempts (D1, L4) illustrates they aren’t the best closers.
Considering they have Liverpool in their sights, heartbreak may have been on the horizon either way since they’ve been victorious in only one of the last 13 league H2Hs (D2, L10).
Contrary to their hosts, Liverpool will be wishing they had it all to play for since they’ve won their final league game for six seasons running, but a frustrating 1-1 draw to Aston Villa last round put to bed their hopes of a top-four finish that had gained momentum after a seven-game winning streak prior.
Alas, it’s back to UEFA Europa League football next season for the first time since Jürgen Klopp's first season on Merseyside.
The Reds’ away form has been their Achilles’ heel as they’ve managed to win just six times on their league travels this season (D4, L8).
Half of those wins have come from their last three such matches, where they’ve scored 11 goals in the process.
That’s as many as they had accumulated across their 13 PL away games prior.
Players to watch: Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse may be playing in a different shirt next season, but scoring three of his last four PL goals beyond the 75th minute shows he has left it all out there for the Saints.
Meanwhile, should Mohamed Salah score his eighth goal against Southampton here, it would be the fifth time in his six seasons at Liverpool he has netted 20+ PL goals.
Hot stat: Only once in the last 20 PL seasons has the team finishing last won their final game of the season.
