FC25 | Liverpool VS.Southampton ft.|English premier league 2024/25|PS5 [4K]
Kick-off is nearing and there is increasing excitement inside the stadium.
Who has the ingredients necessary for victory?
What will be the other storylines out there on the pitch?
We're on the cusp of finding out.
Next on EATV.
And all systems go here at Anfield ahead of what should be an enthralling night of football.
I'm Derek Ray and joining me to provide expert analysis is Stuart Robson.
I'm very much looking forward to bringing you action from the Premier League.
It is Liverpool up against Southampton.
Well Derek, when looking forward to this game you can't help but notice there are some great match-ups all over the pitch.
Particularly in those central areas.
Whichever team wins more of those battles will win the game.
And this is how Liverpool will line up.
Alisson begins in goal.
Ibrahima Konate starts alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
Mohamed Salah plays with Luis Diaz out wide.
And the striker of choice is Darwin Nunez.
And here's how the line-up looks for Southampton.
Well it's a 5-2-3 formation to start with.
But expect a lot of rotation between the front three and the wing-backs to break forward at every opportunity.
And now they get the ball rolling.
Archer.
Nicely timed tackle.
Nunez.
Using the space really well you've got to say.
But really sticking to the task defensively.
Walker-Peters.
Effective pass.
But it did look promising but no threat in the end.
Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Nunez.
Explosive attacking qualities can be so important.
Look no further than Mohamed Salah.
Well his pace is going to be key today against a well-drilled defence.
He has the ability to break it down with his dynamism.
Let's hope he plays well today.
Oh good vision.
Bufford's so clever.
Once he gets onto it there's only...
And back underway.
1-0 it is.
Liverpool in a position of menace.
Free kick awarded to Liverpool.
And the danger clear.
Diaz.
Stunt threat.
Arribo.
Well fine margins but you need to be a bit more accurate than that.
Luis Diaz.
And Liverpool might be able to cash in.
That's the clearance that was needed.
Good idea.
For the keeper.
Southampton recovering possession well.
Walker-Peters.
Arribo.
On to Downs.
Simple disappointed in Southampton.
They've just lacked ideas whenever they get into the top third of the pitch.
It's just not been good enough.
Quite simply they just need to get on the ball more than they have been.
Luis Diaz.
And with that they thwart the opportunity.
Couldn't find a teammate.
Throw in here.
Flynn Downs.
Defensively and did his job.
Plenty of support here.
Nunez.
To that through ball the goalkeeper.
Walker-Peters.
Another stoppage time situation.
One minute here.
Archer.
No more time left.
First half is over here at Anfield.
Really enjoyed watching Luis Diaz go about his business in the first half.
What have you made of his performance?
Well underway again.
Advantage Liverpool after the first 45.
But a long way from being settled.
Nunez.
Not a poor touch and unable to keep it in play.
Throw in to come.
Darwin Nunez.
And in the perfect position to read it.
Arribo.
Archer.
Now with Downs.
A bit wasteful from Southampton.
Promising looking ball.
Jones.
Well the tempo of the game and the noise of the fans has certainly increased over the last few minutes.
Can Liverpool make it count with a goal now?
Oh sorry Stewart look at this.
And a goal!
He makes no mistake with the finish.
The lead standing at 2-0.
Arribo.
And support available.
Tries it to have won the ball having made that.
Could reduce the deficit.
Oh that is an outrageously good stop.
Well great reflexes from the key man.
He did brilliantly there.
Well they are committed to making the substitution here.
And he's fired over the corner.
Luis Diaz.
I believe there's no way back from this now.
Well here you can see it again.
Good run.
Great strength.
And a composed finish under pressure.
That's a top class goal.
Well the game has restarted.
And Liverpool quite frankly running away with this one.
James Bree.
On to Downs.
Slobo.
Archer.
Firing is in.
Stopped a certain goal.
Mo Salah.
Just 20 minutes remaining now.
Arribo.
Archer.
Arribo.
Mopping up defensively.
Robertson.
Decided to hit that with power rather than going for placement.
Now they're going to alter things.
Here's the substitution.
Robbed of the ball.
Mo Salah.
James Bree.
Ryan Grafenberg.
Darwin Nunez.
Now with Alexander-Arnold.
Salah.
Actually timed tackle.
Flynn Downs.
On to Smallbone.
Arribo.
Well they know they need to stop him.
An utterly disappointing cross.
Goal kick.
Time for a change then.
Not taking into account all the stoppages.
Three minutes to be added on.
Now what can Liverpool do with this advantageous situation?
Cutting the ball back.
Salah.
Real chance.
Splendid defending.
Now sending it in.
Got to get rid of it.
Well they survived the attack.
The sound of the referee's whistle.
This match is in the history books.
And it goes down as a Liverpool victory.
Well Dirk, they were the better team all over the pitch.
We saw good individual performances.
We saw an attack which was always threatening.
And they played really well.
What a performance that was today.
So positivity envelops Mo Salah.
Not for the first time either.
Your verdict?
Well he'll be pleased with his performance today.
He looked sharp physically and mentally.
And really stood out for me in a good win for the team.