Saints welcome former players back as Liverpool visit

On the opening day of the season, Nathaniel Clyne shocked Anfield, crashing a shot into the top corner to equalise for the Saints and had Liverpool on the ropes for the last half an hour.

Eventually the Reds got a winner with Daniel Sturridge adding to Raheem Sterling’s earlier strike, though this defeat prompted a run which saw the south coast club lose just once in 12 matches in all competitions as they climbed into the Premier League top three.

The Saints are 6/4 with Coral to get their revenge, while for Liverpool to win and both teams to score odds of 11/2 are being offered.

Ronald Koeman’s men are clinging onto fourth spot, though have taken just four points from their last three Premier League matches. Liverpool, menahwile, are in the ascendancy and appear to have turned their season around, after a turbulent first four months. In their last 16 games, they have lost just once in all competitions, and manager Brendan Rodgers seems to have found a way that works.

Striker Daniel Sturridge seems to have recovered well from his long injury lay-off, and netted last time out domestically, as the Reds beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. He is decent value at 13/8 to score anytime, while Mario Balotelli infamously struck a penalty against Besiktas in the club’s Europa League tie. The Italian is 6/1 to break the deadlock.

Adam Lallana also struck against the Eagles and he has been impressive since making a switch from Southampton last time out, and will be well aware of receiving a possible hostile reception. He is, however, 3/1 to mark his return with a goal anytime. He may also be joined by fellow former Southampton teammates, Dejan Lovren and fan favourite Rickie Lambert (5/2 anytime scorer) in the squad.

Although Graziano Pelle is the Saints’ top scorer, his goals seem to have dried up recently though a punt on odds of 2/1 for him to find the net anytime may be a good decision. It was Sadio Mane who grabbed the last minute winner against QPR though, and he is 13/2 to break the deadlock. Clyne, meanwhile, is 17/2 to repeat his exploits and net anytime.