Soccer Premier League

5 Key Matchups For Southampton vs. Liverpool In EPL Week 26

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5 Key Matchups For Southampton vs. Liverpool

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman
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Southampton have been one of the four best teams in the EPL so far this season, but the Saints also need to be one of the four best teams in the final 13 games to maintain their top four position. Liverpool and Arsenal are finding form at the right time and the pressure is going to grow every week from here on out. A win here would be the best signal of intent Liverpool could send, but the Reds will need to win these five key matchups to do so.

5. Jordan Henderson vs. Victor Wanyama

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson
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5. Jordan Henderson vs. Victor Wanyama

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson
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In a game where both teams are possession based, the midfield area is always going to be key. Two of the more important players in this area are Jordan Henderson for Liverpool and Victor Wanyama for Southampton. Henderson likes to join in with the attack more than Wanyama does, but the English midfielder will need to make sure he assumes control in the center of the field before he can consider attacking in this game.

4. Martin Skrtel vs. Graziano Pelle

Martin Skrtel and Graziano Pelle compete for the ball
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4. Martin Skrtel vs. Graziano Pelle

Martin Skrtel and Graziano Pelle compete for the ball
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One giant obstacle opposing Southampton's claims for a top four spot this season is the current form of striker Graziano Pelle. The Italian scored his sixth goal in just eight EPL games on October 18, but has since scored just twice in the following 17 games to date. Martin Skrtel will be looking to extend Pelle's run to two goals in 18 games when the pair meet, and if he does, it'll be a key contribution to any potential win for the Reds.

3. Raheem Sterling vs. Nathaniel Clyne

Raheem Sterling playing for Liverpool against Everton
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3. Raheem Sterling vs. Nathaniel Clyne

Raheem Sterling playing for Liverpool against Everton
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Nathaniel Clyne is one of the best defending right-backs in the EPL and the Southampton man will need to show it when he comes up against Raheem Sterling. Liverpool look a more potent attacking threat with the return of Daniel Sturridge, but the team still needs Sterling to be creating chances for the returning striker. Clyne will be a significant obstacle to those aims, but just how much success the Saints defender has will be key.

2. Sadio Mane vs. Emre Can

Southampton attacker Sadio Mane
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2. Sadio Mane vs. Emre Can

Southampton attacker Sadio Mane
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With four goals in six EPL games, Sadio Mane has been a vital contributor to Southampton's fortunes over the past couple of months. The Senegal international will see an opportunity for more success, too, when he comes up against Emre Can in Week 26. Can is naturally a midfield player, but has been deployed as a center-back in a three-man backline recently and hasn't fully adjusted to the role in a defensive capacity just yet.

1. Daniel Sturridge vs. Jose Fonte

Daniel Sturridge and Jose Fonte compete for the ball
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1. Daniel Sturridge vs. Jose Fonte

Daniel Sturridge and Jose Fonte compete for the ball
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Daniel Sturridge has returned from injury at just the right time for Liverpool with the EPL season entering the decisive final third. Brendan Rodgers has struggled to fill the striker position in Sturridge's absence, but the injection of goals that Sturridge will now bring could be pivotal in the remaining games. Jose Fonte will predominantly have the unenviable job of defending Sturridge in a game which the Saints absolutely must not lose.

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