Liverpool V Southampton At Anfield : LIVE

21 September 2013 13:56
Liverpool V Southampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Agger back for Saints clash

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is expected to return to face Southampton after missing Monday's draw at Swansea with a side strain.


Playmaker Philippe Coutinho is out for several weeks after undergoing a shoulder operation so the likes of Iago Aspas and Raheem Sterling will be pushing for a recall.


The match marks the completion of striker Luis Suarez's 10-game ban, which carried over from last season.


manager Brendan Rodgers insists he has not even considered the prospect of making an unexpected title challenge despite setting the early pace.


The Reds were the last top-flight side to surrender their 100 per cent record but the point on Monday gained was enough to take them back to the summit.


Despite an impressive start Rodgers knows bigger tests lie ahead and he urged caution in making any snap judgements for another six matches.


But there is no doubt their early form has generated additional positivity in and around the club as they seek to secure a return to the Champions League after a four-year absence.


"I haven't even considered that (a title challenge) at all - the only focus is the next game," said Rodgers.


"We'll assess it after 10 games, see where we sit there, then the halfway point and we'll probably have a more realistic idea of where we can be.


"At this moment, we've played four - won three and drawn one - and we're in a good moment.


"There's a lot more to come. We've made a good start. People will talk that it's early stages, as will I, but these are hurdles you have to get over.


"We're on 10 points already; at the end of last season we finished on 61 points and we talked about those extra 10 points that might have taken us into the Champions League - at this early stage we've got them.


"I believe the team has still got a lot of improvements to make because of the nature of what I've seen in the games and the potential we have in the players.


"We've got to sustain that but I'm really happy that in these early stages we've shown at least potential.


"I think that potential can grow even more."


Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful of bringing Liverpool's unbeaten start to an abrupt halt.


"It's clear that they are a very powerful side and Anfield is a great stadium to play in," he said.


"It will be a great place to perform, to do well in and actually try to get the three points."


Luke Shaw is fit despite limping off in last weekend's 0-0 draw with West Ham.


Fellow left-back Danny Fox remains a doubt with an ankle complaint and Tadanari Lee may also miss out.


Source: DSG