Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Liverpool and Southampton.

Liverpool began the weekend in third place in the standings but even though that changed after Manchester City's thrashing of Crystal Palace, their target remains the same as far as the remainder of the season is concerned. The Merseyside outfit have put themselves in a position where they will finish in the top four should they win their remaining contests but it is certainly not a foregone conclusion that they will achieve that. They have already played Southampton on three occasions this season and failed to score a goal!

As far as Southampton are concerned, they still have five matches remaining and have realistic hopes of finishing in eighth position but if reports are to be believed, all is not well on the South Coast. It has been suggested that members of the first-team squad are not the biggest fans of Claude Puel and if that is correct, it is inevitable that they are not going to perform to their best. With some tough fixtures to come, it is important that the players don't down tools over the course of the next two weeks.

Anyway, without without ado, let's get cracking with the team news...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Can, Lucas, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Firmino, Origi

LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Karius, Moreno, Grujic, Sturridge, Alexander-Arnold, Lallana, Klavan

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster, Soares, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand, Romeu, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Boufal, Gabbiadini

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTES: Hassen, Caceres, Long, Pied, Rodriguez, Hojbjerg, Redmond

First of all, let's take a look at Liverpool because even though Jurgen Klopp has selected unchanged team, it was not an easy decision. Adam Lallana was in line for a start after making a successful return from injury against Watford but he has to make do with a place on the bench. Daniel Sturridge could have also been given the nod after a bright cameo at Vicarage Road. Instead, Philippe Coutinho plays after recovering from a knock and Divock Origi remains in the first XI.

As for Southampton, Puel has made just the one change to his starting lineup, with James Ward-Prowse coming in for Nathan Redmond. I imagine that is with the intention of tightening things up in the middle. Charlie Austin had been in contention to feature in the senior setup for the first time since December, but he has been left out by his manager. With five games to play in two weeks, perhaps a sensible decision.

Before we continue with the build-up to this game, let me point you in the direction of our coverage of the final day in the Championship because things are extremely tight. Each of Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers are currently winning, but it will only take one equaliser to change things. Click here to follow all of the goals as they go in.

HEAD TO HEAD! This fixture will represent the 106th time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive match, with Liverpool claiming 51 victories in comparison to 30 wins for Southampton. There have been plenty of contests in recent years due to their clashes in the League Cup, but Liverpool head into this encounter having failed to defeat Southampton in the last four attempts. They have also failed to score in their last three games with the Saints...

We can't really question Klopp's starting lineup too much, but we have to analyse a couple of his picks. An element of caution may be behind leaving Lallana on the bench given his recent spell out with injury, but he was a breath of fresh air against Watford on Monday night. He will be inevitably introduced at some stage, but it would have been a statement of intent from Klopp had be been included.

Klopp has also decided to keep faith with Origi, who has not scored in his last four appearances. The Belgian brings other qualities to the team but Sturridge looked sharp earlier in the week and it may have been worth a punt in giving him responsibility in the final third.

For Puel, he will be keen to see a return to goalscoring form for Gabbiadini. The striker initially made a huge impact after joining from Napoli, but he is without a goal in 205 minutes since his return.

Puel will also want to see more from Boufal before the end of the season. His first year at the club has been stop-start, but one goal from 19 Premier League appearances does not justify Southampton shelling out £16m for him in the summer.

We have spoken of Southampton keeping three clean sheets against Liverpool this season but in two of those matches, they had Virgil van Dijk at the centre of their defence. Since that game, five clean sheets have been kept in 13 attempts - which is a fine return without your best player - but there has also been occasions where three of four goals have been shipped without the imposing Dutchman.

We should also assess what defeat would mean for Liverpool because if we go by the form book, it is a possibility. Manchester United currently sit four points behind with a game in hand, while Arsenal are nine behind with two games in hand. If Liverpool lose this afternoon, it makes things at the Emirates Stadium extremely interesting.

If Southampton did cause a surprise in the North-West, it would see them move into ninth place, just a point behind West Bromwich Albion with one game in hand. There is definitely plenty riding on this match, even for the visitors.

PREDICTION! Given Liverpool's recent struggles in front of goal, we have to back this game to remain tight but with so much on the line for Klopp's men, we expect them to pull this one out of the bag, maybe with a late Sturridge winner in a 2-1 victory. He has to contribute at some point, right?

The two teams have made their way out at Anfield. The first of this afternoon's matches is coming right up.

Southampton get us underway

We have already slipped into the pattern of possession football for Liverpool and Southampton sitting deep. The home side came close to creating their first opportunity through a cross from Clyne, but Southampton cleared easily.

Southampton are starting to offer some ambition of their own down the flanks but all things considered, it has been a quiet opening to this match at Anfield.

We continue to wait for the first shot on goal. Southampton look well drilled, and are prepared to remain patient and frustrate their hosts, who are already resorting to long, hopeful balls.

Moments ago, there was some concern for Liverpool when Bertrand accidentally stepped down the back of Clyne's ankle but the right-back is on his feet again. More of the same as far as the action is concerned.

First real chance for Liverpool with Firmino dispossessing Romeu around 20 yards from goal, but his resulting effort was superbly blocked by Yoshida.

There are plenty of positive vibes coming from Klopp and the club's supporters but aside from that one opening which was gifted to them, they have found Southampton to be rock solid. I get the impression Puel would be happy with a 0-0 draw.

Gabbiadini just attempted to beat the offside trap after latching onto a long ball, but he was flagged. That is about all he has done so far.

SHOT! Bit better from Liverpool, and from Coutinho, but his long-range effort was only ever going into the grateful hands of Forster who barely had to move.

It has taken until the 28th minutes but we finally have the first corner of the game. It goes to Southampton, but even though a poor corner is flicked on, a visiting player commits a foul when jumping for a header.

While there is absolutely nothing happening in this game, I will tell you that Blackburn Rovers have been relegated to League One, despite beating Brentford this afternoon. Catch up on that news by clicking here.

SHOT! It says everything about this match that this is as good as the action has been. Firmino ran towards goal before unleashing a relatively tame effort from 25 yards, which was easily saved by Forster.

The change at the break has to be Lallana for Lucas, surely? We queried it before the match and that feeling is coming to fruition. Liverpool don't need both Lucas and Can in midfield for a home match they have to win.

SHOT! Liverpool are yet to get a shot on target from inside the penalty area. It's yet another long-range effort with Can shooting tamely at Forster.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

The half-time whistle goes at Anfield and I say this without a shadow of a doubt that it the opening 45 minutes were in my top 10 of worst halves of football of all time. Liverpool have had a few tame shots from outside of the box and Southampton have done nothing. Klopp needs to introduce Lallana. It is as simple as that.

The teams are heading back out. No changes. An absolutely bewildering decision from Klopp. It's time to see if it is the right one.

Liverpool get us back underway.

The home side need to get themselves onto the front foot but it is Southampton who have returned for the restart the brighter of the two teams. A couple of corners were well delivered but Mignolet was able to claim the second one.

We are back into the pattern of the first half. That is not a positive thing. Liverpool are on the offensive again but Southampton look comfortable. Yoshida and Stephens are having a fine game.

I am trying to avoid turning this into a witchhunt against Klopp but he has seemingly spent much of this match whinging at the fourth official and less tinkering with his team. Nothing has changed from the first minute until now.

We reach the hour mark with Can lashing a shot high and wide from around 30 yards out. Here comes the first change, and it isn't a Liverpool one.

SUBSTITUTION! That is the end of Boufal's afternoon, who is replaced by Nathan Redmond.

MISS! Milner hits it hard and low towards the bottom corner but Forster pulls off a brilliant save! The penalty came as a result of Stephens hitting the ball with his arm. Correct decision from the referee.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Southampton make a change, with Shane Long replacing Gabbiadini. Klopp also makes two alterations - finally - with Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge replacing Lucas Leiva and Divock Origi.

Liverpool may have made their changes, but Southampton fancy their chances of nicking this game with a set piece. The deliveries from Ward-Prowse and Tadic have been excellent but so far, Mignolet is doing a good job of dealing with them.

SHOT! Forster will be praised for his save from Milner's penalty but his positioning for each of Liverpool's efforts from distance should also be applauded. On this occasion, he had little trouble with dealing with a curler from Coutinho.

CHANCE! He doesn't supply the end product but Liverpool needed this variety. Sturridge turns the defender on the edge of the area but he is only able to poke his shot straight at Forster.

SHOT! Sturridge looks as lively as he has done for some time. He is probably a little too ambitious here, however, with his 20-yard strike only going into the side-netting.

SHOT! Another long-ranger - this time from Lallana - but it was never going to trouble Forster. Just the five minutes plus added-on time to go.

SUBSTITUTION! Liverpool's final change sees Marko Grujic replace Wijnaldum.

SHOT! Klopp is going berserk on the touchline and he has every reason to. Can's powerful effort was deflected just past the post but the referee has given a goal kick.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

SAVE! Coutinho almost wins it with a header! Milner's inswinging cross is perfect but the Brazilian's header is tipped over the crossbar by Forster.

The full-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool have been held by Southampton. In a poor game which featured poor game management from Klopp, his team can have no complaints, despite Milner missing a penalty. They return to third but this will go down as a missed opportunity.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the contest involving Arsenal and Manchester United. Goodbye for now.