3 key battles ahead of Southampton v Liverpool

Considering the talent on show and the styles of both sides, Southampton v Liverpool is always going to be an exciting encounter, however, it is a fixture which has taken on further significance over the past few seasons.

The Reds have almost become a parody of themselves in terms of their recent transfer dealings, repeatedly returning to the South Coast for their summer signings, having spent just shy of £100m on players from St. Mary’s since the Saints returned to the Premier League.

The Merseysider’s tendency to continuously poach the brightest talent from the Saints, such as Adam Lallana and Saido Mane, has created somewhat of a rivalry between the two sets of fans, something which can only add to the game.

Furthermore, Southampton’s rise as a club in the top flight over the last five years, taking them above Liverpool and into the Europa League slots last season, has meant that there is more than just bragging rights on offer at the weekend, it is a game that really matters come the end of the season.

With that in mind, who are the ones to watch on Saturday? Shoot! takes a look…