trousers

I'm still not seeing any official confirmation of this...

Still only 25 so, yep, worth a punt if not stupid money

I think this is the bit that some fans (aka, the "get it in the box" brigade ) don't quite appreciate... Drawing the opponent out Southampton's attacking play depends on being able to go up the pitch with momentum so that they catch teams in transition (which in theory is when they are most vulnerable), something they can't do when the defending team sets up in an organised block. One particularly devious ploy that they use to avoid this is passing backwards from advanced attacking areas, even when there's an opportunity to cross or get closer to goal. We saw it a few times against Liverpool, with Kyle Walker-Peters on the ball, in the example below, forming a front four. Danny Ings is the main attacking threat from crosses but is left wing, so the chances of scoring from a cross played into the area are low. Walker-Peters takes a beat. In slowing play down, Liverpool have a chance to get back into their defensive shape and the chance to score is gone. Walker-Peters then passes back towards his defence. Liverpool then push forward to follow the ball and try to win it back close to half way, but Southampton are in position to recycle the ball in their little triangles. James Ward-Prowse passes (1) back to Jan Bednarek, who passes (2) to Ibrahima Diallo, who has three available options for the next pass. Behind Diallo, Liverpool's defensive line is squeezing up. One smart pass over the top could spring the offside trap and play Southampton's pacy forward line in behind but on this occasion, Diallo is fouled. Southampton don't simply lump the ball into the box, nor do they patiently probe in the final third. They are built to harrass, hassle, wait... and spring a trap

Someone ought to tell whoever runs the BBC Radio Solent Sport twitter account that it's not been confirmed yet.... they posted this c.40 minutes ago....

I see Derby are set to play an academy team rather than postpone their Cup game. Assume Shrewsbury potentially have the same option?

Oh well. I'm assuming Ralph won't be too displeased with having more time on the training ground and additional recovery time ahead of our next PL game.

--------------- Forster --------------- Valery - Bednarek - Stephens - Vokins --------- Romeu ----- Diallo ---------- -- Smallbone -------------- Chauke -- --------- Adams ---- N'Lundulu ------

Fair play to Carragher calling 'no penalty' in his analysis of the KWP / Mané incident

Relatively, it was a weak bench on paper

Klopp saying he doesn't understand why they didn't get two penalties...

He was probably thinking "shit, far too early, we've now got to hang on for 88 minutes!"

Wow. Great stat

Great cameo!

One word... Legend

He's a classless twat of the highest order

Carragher almost in tears in the studio too.... 😂😂😂😂😂

Ralph collapses in tears on the touchline. Oh boy oh boy. That's set me off

GET IN !!!!!!!!!!!!! RESULT!!!

Catch the ball Forster FFS

What's the average age of our outfield 11 at the moment?

Why is this last 10 minutes taking half an hour?!

Valery looking like a decent midfielder!

Valery close!!

Bizarre