"Good evening everyone. I, Jim Kaglin, will accompany you all to watch the match week 35 of the English Premier League, between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield Stadium.
Liverpool is still in charge of leading the Premier League standings. They are 5 points ahead of Manchester United. Fun fact, in the 2011/2012 season Liverpool have never been experienced defeat at their home. A great achievement from the Reds.
In tonight's match, Liverpool would not play their mainstay defender Sergio Van Dyke who was injured in the previous match. Gomez and Matip will guard Liverpool's defense tonight.
On the other hand, Southampton, who had just lost against Arsenal, had to fight hard because they had to fight against Liverpool. Although no one was injured, George turned out to have young players in this match.
Ryan Jr will replace Crage upfront. Rustan replaces Hugo on the right-wing. Finally, Wright-Phillips will play on the left-wing. As usual, Kazuki played as the main striker, he had stabilized his position in place beat, Osmund, after showing an outstanding performance. So far Kazuki has recorded 11 goals and 5 assists.
Let's see the formation of the two teams in tonight's match.
Liverpool will return to using a 4-3-3 formation. So far Liverpool rarely changes their formation. Coach Ralf Ragnick is very confident with this formation.
Goalkeeper: Jim Becker;
Defenders: Glen Johnson, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Jose Enrique;
Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Steven Roger, Lucas;
Forwards: Ahmed, Sisinho, Sterling
Meanwhile, Southampton also fielded their main formation 4-4-2.
Goalkeepers: Dean Smith;
Defenders: Vicente, Okhalo, Hilton, Ben Carter;
Midfielders: Rustan, Rudolf, Simone, Wright-Phillips;
Front: Kazuki, Ryan Jr.
From the data that has been collected regarding this match, 89% chance of Liverpool winning, 6% chance of a draw, and 5% chance of Southampton winning. It seems like everyone agrees that Liverpool's lead is too big for Southampton. So far Southampton has always lost against The Big Six, holding Chelsea to a draw was one exception throughout the 2011/2012 season.
I hope Southampton can surprise Liverpool. Let's watch together the first half between Liverpool vs Southampton."
On the pitch, Liverpool fans sang their proud chants from the start of the match. Southampton's players feel pressure from Liverpool fans.
Liverpool started the first half kick-off. The Reds was a team that started the game, so Southampton immediately focused on running a low-block strategy.
In the 3rd minute, Lucas provided a pass to Glen Johnson. Wright-Phillips tried to stop Glen Johnson but the Liverpool left-back was very good with the ball. He tricked Wright-Phillips and barged past him. Johnson moved the ball, he sent a long pass down the right flank. Ahmed collided with Ben Carter. Slowly Ahmed started to get ahead of Ben Carter but the Southampton left-back gripped Ahmed's shirt so tightly that the Liverpool player fell and failed to get the ball.
The referee blows the whistle. He gave Liverpool a free kick in the right area of the Southampton defense. Steven Roger took the free-kick. Liverpool's players and Southampton players crammed in the penalty box The Saints.
Steven Roger kicks the ball after the referee's whistle. The ball curled into the middle of the box, Henderson jumped to head the ball, but Rudolf interfered with his jump, so his header was less accurate. The ball flew off the field. Goal kick for Southampton.
The team against Liverpool will feel the same way. Tense. Throughout the match, the Liverpool players continued to run to do pressing. One mistake could result in a deadly attack. Therefore, Southampton did not try to have the ball. Once they got the ball, Southampton counter-attacked immediately, and if that fails at least Southampton players have to commit a foul to stop Liverpool's attack.
In the 7th minute, Southampton managed to get the ball. Vicente provides a pass to Rustan. Lucas rushed to press. The Southampton right-winger relied on his speed to try to break through Liverpool's right side. However, Lucas made a clean tackle and brought down Rustan. After that, Lucas gave the ball to Steven Roger.
Simone gave Roger a body charge so that Roger who was preparing to receive the ball fell. The referee blew the whistle indicating Simone had committed a foul.
Liverpool took a quick free-kick. Steven Roger sent a pass to Jordan Henderson. Rudolf tried to stop Henderson but the Liverpool midfielder managed to get rid of Rudolf. He gave the ball to Sisinho who did his job as a false nine. Sisinho flicked the ball to the side, he turned his body and passed Okhalo who had been following him on his back.
Sisinho then gave a flat pass to the left. Sterling ran diagonally through the Vicente defense. He brought the ball into the penalty box and provided a sharp pass to the right side of the goalpost. Ahmed duels with Hilton to get the ball. Luckily, Hilton managed to get the ball off the field before Ahmed got it.
Liverpool fans were disappointed that their team failed to score. Even so, they still applauded to encourage the Liverpool players.
The corner kick will be taken by Glen Johnson. After hearing the referee's signal, Glen Johnson kicked the ball aiming the far post. The ball curled to the far post. Lucas and Vicente jump together to get the ball. Vicente managed to head the ball outside the penalty box.
The ball bounced in front of Kazuki. Kazuki picked up the ball, then turn around his body preparing to counterattack. Just as Kazuki turned around, he saw the figure of Steven Roger preparing to tackle him. Kazuki pushed the ball to the right with his outer foot then bounced it to the left with his inner foot. Steven Roger wasn't fooled by Kazuki's trick. He stretched out his leg to intercept the ball, but Kazuki pushed the ball through the space between Roger's legs. Kazuki managed to nutmeg Roger, after that, he was chasing the ball.
Kazuki dribbled the ball quickly. In just a few seconds he crossed the halfway line. In front of him, there were Matip and Gomez who were intending to stop Kazuki. Kazuki provided a through pass to the right. Rustan and Jose Enrique competed for speed to get the ball.
Rustan managed to win the duel, the teenager touched the ball first than Jose Enrique.
Kazuki, Rustan, and Ryan had discussed Liverpool's habit. When they are hit with the counterattack, Liverpool's purpose is to turn off the opposing striker, in this case, was Kazuki. Therefore, when Southampton counter-attacked, Rustan's target of the pass was not Kazuki who was pinned by two Liverpool defenders but Ryan who followed Kazuki from behind.
Rustan gave Ryan a cut-back pass. Matip shifted his focus to Ryan while Gomez continued to mark Kazuki. Ryan made a fake shot then passed it to Kazuki. Kazuki was facing the opposite direction of Liverpool's goal, Gomez stuck tight to prevent Kazuki from turning his body, but he didn't expect Kazuki did not turn his body at all. Kazuki shot the ball with his heel. The shot was so unexpected that Jim Becker didn't have time to react.
"Goaaaaall! I couldn't believe my eyes, what happened?! Southampton scored the first goal in the 9th minute. A very genius shot from a Kazuki put Southampton ahead in this match."