The reds return to Premier League action looking for their first win in three games after disappointing draws against West Brom and Newcastle.
Liverpool's form has generally been better against the better quality of opposition and there is little doubt that Ralph Hasenhuttl's side are exactly that.
Although they are without their keeper Alex McCarthy due to Covid, their injury concerns are minor next to Liverpool who have key players missing from defence, midfield and attack.
A win tonight would move the reds three points clear - anything less than a victory and other teams may be able to overtake the reds with games in hand.
Thiago Alcantara could feature more heavily than the 20 minutes against Newcastle, although Naby Keita remains a doubt.
As it happened...
Gini Wijnaldum is now in the last few months of his contract - and appears to be running down his time at Liverpool before an even more lucrative move abroad.
However, he's still focussed on tonight's fixture.
MATCHDAY ???? First match of the new year, let’s start strong ???????????? #SOULLIV pic.twitter.com/ldDWHHPUtI
— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) January 4, 2021
Looks like Henderson and Fabinho are partnering up at centre-back!
Thiago and Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle.
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Fabinho, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Jones, Minamino, Shaqiri, Origi, R. Williams, Phillips, N. Williams.
Former red Danny Ings lines up against the reds, alongside Theo Walcott.
Fraser Forster replaces Alex McCarthy in goal for the home team.
Forster, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Djenepo, Ings, Walcott
Subs: Lewis, Long, Valery, Smallbone, Tella, Vokins, Ramsay, N'Lundulu, Chauke
Reds take to the pitch first.
Southampton in their red/black/white kit.
We are underway at St Mary's!
2' Horror show! Easy free kick for Ward-Prowse.
Crosses in and it's a simple lift into the net from Danny Ings!
Terrible start Liverpool - great start Southampton.
4' And a silly early yellow card for Thiago too.
Long way to play now on a booking.
15' Andy Robertson the second Liverpool player to be booked.
Liverpool have had plenty of the ball but have perhaps not been particularly clever in the final third.
Remains 1-0 to Saints.
27' Ings with some great hold up play, but Djenepo can't keep his shot down.
Home side looking very very well drilled.
32' Nathan Tella replaces Djenepo just after the half hour mark.
39' Robertson sends in a free kick but it comes to nothing.
Klopp can't be happy with this performance.
47' One of LFC's best chances.
Mane crosses in, brave header from Salah but he heads it narrowly wide.
HT: Southampton 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool without an attempt on target.
Absolutely awful.
Danny Ings with the shock opener inside 2 minutes.
Liverpool staring down the barrel of three league games without a win.
Must improve in this second half.
Must.
51' VAR handball shout in Liverpool's favour.
Of course, not given.
57' Time for Oxlade-Chamberlain to head off.
On comes Shaqiri.
Liverpool have been better this half but still no breakthrough equaliser.
58' Last ditch tackle to deny Mane right at the corner of the six yard box.
77' Not quite on target though.
Trent's shot appears to take a deflection off Salah and wide.
78' Milner on for Trent. Danny Ings heads off for Southampton too.
79' Shaqiri booked for a foul. About 40 yards out.
82' Theo Walcott - who just clattered into James Milner is subbed off and replaced with Valery.
84' Alisson races out to intercept a ball over the top.
Doesn't look like he's going to get there and it's put through his legs.
Luckily it's cleared before it reaches the line.
Not a good sign if the keeper's starting to sweat.
Dismal.
Southampton 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool go three league games without a win for the first time since 2018.
Terrible stuff from the reds. Not just today, but the last three games. Barely a chance of note in the entire game.
Reds stay top - but both Manchester clubs can overtake the reds now with their games in hand.
