“Serious issues to contend with”, “Devoid of ideas” – Liverpool fans react to Saints loss

January 4, 2021
Joanna Durkan

Liverpool were a shadow of themselves on the south coast, delivering a disappointing performance which resulted in a 1-0 defeat at Southamtpon.

Southampton 1-0 Liverpool

Premier League (17), St Mary’s
January 4, 2021

Goals: Ings 2′

The Reds made the trip to the south coast for their first game of 2021 in search of three valuable points and they came nowhere close, seeing seven points dropped in the last three games.

It did not get off to the best of starts, as sloppy defending made way for Danny Ings to open the scoring with just minutes on the clock – lending itself to one of the worst 45 minutes of the season.

Finding the target proved difficult and VAR inconsistency frustrating in the second half as the Saints stubbornly defended their lead.

One-shot on target defined what was a disappointing and forgettable evening as they have now left the door ajar for the rest of the pack to seize.

Here’s how supporters reacted to the defeat on Twitter, Facebook and This Is Anfield’s forum.

It was an evening to forget…

Really poor. Sort of match where conversely you prefer to lose by a proper losing scoreline. 85mins of that was torture, crossing repeatedly to nobody, thoughtless build-ups, so many didn’t show up. Isn’t a time for panic but this recent stretch has been embarrassing. #LFCdigest

— Danny Gallagher (@Danny7Gallagher) January 4, 2021

https://twitter.com/_lfcleanne/status/1346214606474260481?s=20

“We deserve nothing. We have been a massive pile of dung today.”

– indianscouser on the forums.

“Well done Southampton. Played well. Liverpool are totally out of sorts at the moment.”

– Nigel Edwards on Facebook.

Only saving grace is the season isn’t over yet.

— Karl (@KarlThyer) January 4, 2021

Blame the ref all you want but that was so poor from Liverpool.

Klopp's got some work to do here, in a rut at the worst possible time.#LFC #SOULIV

— Scott Groom (@ScottCGroom) January 4, 2021

First day back in work after Christmas, 6 week lockdown announced and Liverpool lose. 2021 is making 2020 look like the best year of the Millennium #SOULIV #LFC #lockdown

— Chris Mac (@chrismackop) January 4, 2021

Well done Southampton, a well deserved win against the Champions.

I really don’t want to take anything away from the Saints but that was absolutely dire from Liverpool, about time they remembered that no matter what you won last season, it counts for nothing in this one. Poor.

— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) January 4, 2021

That’s not terminal, but it’s the third bad showing on the bounce. And it’s attack, not the defence, that’s the big issue.

— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 4, 2021

Top of the Premier League still but #LFC have some serious issues to contend with. Their core XI looks hugely fatigued and those returning from injury are miles away from sharpness. Tonight’s lineup surely underlines the need for an extra body at centre-back.

— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) January 4, 2021

No creative flair & signs of scoring proved worrisome…

Yes a lot more possession in more advanced positions but LFC still not creating many chances

— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) January 4, 2021

“Feel like I’ve watched 4 hours worth of football without us getting close to scoring.”

– RedWhippet on the forums.

Nothing more frustrating than watching your team have the ball for the whole game and do nothing with it

— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 4, 2021

#LFC could play until the end of lockdown here and still not score.

— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) January 4, 2021

Some terrible refereeing there and no way Liverpool deserved to lose, but very, very poor in the final third again.

Lots of possession but didn’t test Forster at all.

Lots of talk about the CBs but the attacking play is the issue at the moment. Need Jota back ASAP.

— Jack Sear (@JackSear) January 4, 2021

Seven shots on target against West Brom, Newcastle and Southampton, one goal

Absolutely abysmal

— Liam ?? (@LFCLiamG) January 4, 2021

Attacking play really concerning since the Palace win. Devoid of ideas, unable to play through the middle and resorting to aimless crosses every time.

— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) January 4, 2021

There was a consensus the centre-back situation needs addressing…

Henderson experiment not working. Gap at back needs to be plugged by at least bringing in someone on loan. Not saying it is only problem today but a big one.

— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) January 4, 2021

yeah Liverpool gonna have to suck it up and overpay for a CB and if I’m saying it when I deny January transfers should even exist well……

— nate (@natefc) January 4, 2021

All these people discussing how to fix the issues Liverpool are having now – it isn't complicated, it isn't difficult, we don't need anything fancy or novel.

We need a real CB, and we need our captain back in the midfield.

— Arun (@WookieChew23) January 4, 2021

The midfield which was on the pitch when Liverpool last won the Champions League is now three quarters of their defence.

— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) January 4, 2021

And there's still some people saying we don't need to buy a centreback lol.

— Red (@TaintlessRed) January 4, 2021

Can point to obvious issues in final third but biggest issue that needs addressing is at CB. Forcing the two best MF in this system to drop in and cover affects the chemistry of the entire team

— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) January 4, 2021

Seeing as Liverpool's back four now contains three midfielders, maybe it's time for their much-lauded recruitment department to spring into action.

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) January 4, 2021

(Sign a centre back)

— Jimmy (@EntireDesign_) January 4, 2021

And there were words on a woeful & inconsistent performance from the ref & VAR…

https://twitter.com/jbradleymedia/status/1346204869695315969

https://twitter.com/_lfcleanne/status/1346211504060772371

Milner taken out with a two footed lunge, nothing given and commentators don’t even mention it. Incredible.

— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) January 4, 2021

“How does that not even get reviewed, he clipped him on the ankle. Pogba gets that call every day of the week and twice on Saturdays.”

Semmy on the forums.