To be blunt there was probably not a Saints supporter in the World who would not have taken a 2-1 defeat before the game had started, but in the end it was another case of giving away a goal and playing catch up.

This was a game of the Southampton second string v the Liverpool second string, Will Still rung the change and for a long time in this game it looked like it would work, but then with only two minutes to go before half time and the scores even, Alex McCarthy handed the home side a soft goal, Will Still had spoken of hw players have to get out f bad habits and the truth is McCarthy seemed to have missed the memo, under no pressure but with his defence being pressed instead of launching the ball and clearing his lines, he tried to play a short pass which was never on and Saints were a goal down which they never deserved to be.

The second half saw us battle hard and stay in the game, we had the better chances and none more so than when Adam Armstrong hit the bar and Flynn Downes headed wide when it seeed easier to score,

On 76 minutes Saints equalised and suddenly Southampton fans hoped that this might turn out to be a great day after all, but again some slack defending let us down and Liverpool scored a winner with 5 minutes to go.

With scorer Ekitike having been sent off for taking his shirt off after his goal, Will Still threw on the attackers to try and get back in the game, but it was too little to late and Liverpool saw the game out.

So what did we gain from this, very little actually, it was effectively two reserve sides battling it out so hard to say whether we played badly or not, several players put it claims for a place on Saturday through and that will please Will Still.

Also several players showed they were no better than those that are ahead of them, those that were calling for Alex McCarthy to replace Gavin Bazunu for instance would have had their case for that to happen suffer a big setback.

But there were positives, the team spirit for one and the fact that we showed we can defend, we just lack an organiser, but we already know that.

Now on to Middlesbrough on Saturday and we have to up our game, for this one, but more to the point we have to cut out those silly mistakes.

Via Reuters

underweststand added 18:39 - Sep 24 Good performance - pity about the result. Cannot recall the last time I saw a Saints attack without sideways passes, or play back to defenders. OK - it was Liverpool's "B team" but that doesn't mean they lacked big money buys, or the help of more experienced names. If this was a new Saints trial start side, I was impressed. Once again we were robbed by the woodwork only to concede 30 seconds later, and whilst Liverpool fans were glad to finally see Isak gifted his first goal, he might admit that he'll never score an easier one. Had VAR been in operation, L' Pool might not have been credited with their second goal. My one regret is that we are unlikely to see the same side starting on Saturday, when Will returns to usual back line, who will then doubtless make their "normal mistakes", when I thought that Quarshie, Wood and Edwards really looked the part on the night.

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pintsizedsaint added 18:58 - Sep 24 A much improved performance, although with the same old frailties from the same ole Goalkeeper. Yet beginning to see a difference and a move away from the “muscle memory” of the old regime. But the old problems arise: unable to convert chances and poor goalkeeping. however we can take heart from this. i think Wood looked decent, Quarshie also. AA looked lively too and was unlucky with his chance. i think it was Scienza who fluffed his lines with the header before McCarthy did his usual suicide pass. most telling was who wasn’t there: THB and Stephens were not missed at all. I think Downes also needs to stop thinking he’s in Russ Martin’s team too.

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bryanK added 19:24 - Sep 24 I thought the style of play by Saints was much better and the comments about the 3 centre backs were spot on. I really hope they get an opportunity against Middlesbrough and Will Still has the bottle to leave out the passive, predictable Stephens and the inept Harwood Bellis. I wait with bated breath!!
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BigbadBarry8myboat added 19:27 - Sep 24 No Stephens and No Bazunu, and we look more competent at the back. But for a single midfield lapse that led to the second goal and McCarthy's error, which tbh when you're not playing regularly you're prone to, we were in the game. Another talking point was what £100m can get you. We have Scienza, who headed wide but shouldn't have needed to with Armstrong 1 on 1 with the keeper. At the other end Isak 1 on 1 with McCarthy gives him no chance.

3

halftimeorange added 19:59 - Sep 24 I thought this performance showed quite a lot of promise, better than what we've seen this season. Just a thought, I'm not sure I've seen Wood have a really poor game so, how come he's often overlooked in favour of the currently out of form TH-B and the permanently risky JS? Quarshie gave us much-needed aerial presence at the back. Downes sadly looked out of his depth and Ross Stewart appeared far too late on. As for Alex McCarthy - well, we've seen it all before, a useful shot stopper and useless with the ball at his feet. We need the same effort on display yesterday in every game. That has not been the case on the pitch thus far.

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IanRC added 19:59 - Sep 24 Things I learnt or confirmed from the game 1. Liverpool's second goal was offside but apparently you cannot expect the officials to do their jobs at Anfield 2. We have far better options than Stephens and THB in central defence 3. Similarly we have far better options than Downs up front, I don't know what Still was thinking bringing him on rather than Stewart 4. Some of our new players look very useful, sadly not the ones our manager chooses to play in the league so far 5. We have a goalkeeping issue, is the City youngster a real possibility 6. Our team spirit is not dead if the right players start Coys but please pick the right starters Will. Bring on 'boro

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saint22 added 19:59 - Sep 24 I am not sure we "gained very little' what e learnt was Wood, Quarshie, Jelert, Scienza could easily start Saturday and that Slack and THB should not be playing
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davidargyll added 20:58 - Sep 24 It has been commented elsewhere ad nauseam about Downs’ abysmal performance. My pennyworth is that I counted seven or eight times he received the ball and he lost it EVERY TIME bar one. I am afraid he is dreadful, and a total waste of space - not to mention money - as all he does is lollop around, never tackles and in effect means we are playing as a 10-man team. HE HAS ZERO FUTURE AT OUR CLUB. FFS WILL, ANYBODY IS BETTER THAN HIM, YOU ABSOLUTELY 100% HAVE TO DROP HIM PDQ!!! His near namesake Flynn though had his best game for ages. And I reckon he must start on Saturday with Quarsie and - though this may go against everything the ma ager has thought previously - forget about THB and Jack. Overall, I presume Will did shove a serious rocket up the squad’s btms after the Hull game And if that was the case, the result was there for all to see. Head in the lion’s mouth I know, but could we, on the basis of last night’s performance, maybe, just possibly, have started to turn the corner…???

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landsdownsaint added 21:06 - Sep 24 Enjoyable game with some good performances but Boro will be much harder than that , it was nice to see JS & THB not playing, as for Damion Downes I think he’s starting to pee off his own teammates … dreadful
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kingolaf added 07:54 - Sep 25 McCarthy, for all his faults, can still stop shots. Quite frankly, anyone who thinks Bazunu should be first-choice is an idiot.
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Farlow added 09:14 - Sep 25 I think the reason we looked better defensively is cause the players are more confident with Macarthy behind them.Quarshie and Wood should be first choice cause they will improve,JS and THB wont.
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Staycalm added 13:27 - Sep 25 Lots of positives from the match, already well covered above. From my position, that 11 by and large, turned up, worked hard right until the end and showed so ambitions. I would reward them by keeping the 11 virtually unchanged, apart from maybe Robinson for Archer. Plus of course Downs, well and truly left on the training ground, to prove has something to offer, which I doubt he does!!

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Farlow added 17:31 - Sep 25 Agree with Staycalm Robinson Should start.
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