Mar 15, 2013 04:55 AM EDT
Southampton vs Liverpool: Preview, Predictions, Team News, Injuries and Expected Lineups of English Premier League Game

Liverpool will look to put more pressure on the teams above them and keep their outside challenge for a top-four spot on course when they visit relegation-threatened Southampton in their English Premier League game.

The Reds are currently only two points behind fifth-placed Arsenal, albeit having played a game more, and three points against the Saints could see them move further up the table depending on results elsewhere.

Southampton are on a three-match winless run at the moment, and have failed to kick on from their brilliant 3-1 win over Manchester City a few weeks ago.

While they still have the future in their own hands, the Saints are currently only four points clear of the relegation zone, and Maurico Pochettino will know his side cannot keep dropping points.

St Mary's is always a nice ground to put on a show, and yet another masterclass will be expected from the man widely tipped to be named the player of the year.

Luis Suarez was instrumental in Liverpool's 3-2 comeback victory over Tottenham last weekend, with the Uruguayan striker scoring one and earning the penalty which Steven Gerrard dispatched to give his side all three points.

"It was great for the players last week because we actually weren't at our best," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. "We've played a lot better than that and drawn or lost the game.

"It showed the resilience we've got. Tottenham are an outstanding side. We played really well there and lost the game so we knew it was going to be difficult. To get the victory was very important."

Liverpool might have to do without Pepe Reina for a second straight game, with the goalkeeper, who missed the game against Spurs, a doubt due to a calf injury. The Reds do not have too many other worries though, and that should allow Rodgers to put out a strong side Saturday.

There is no doubt that Liverpool have gotten better and better as the season has gone, with the additions of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho making the group stronger on the attacking front.

"I've seen the group growing all the time. Maybe for other people there was some convincing to do," Rodgers added.

"But for me, working very closely with the group and seeing the development here - it's something that makes me happy at the moment. But we've still got a lot of work to do.

"At the beginning of the season, it was difficult for us because we were putting in a different way of working.

"A lot of the players were away over the summer so we never had the chance to work and before we knew it we were into the Europa League qualifiers."

Southampton have been praised for their style of play as well this season, and it will be a great pity if they were to go down. The Saints need to consistently start picking up points, or they could be in danger of being sucked into the bottom three, particularly with the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa picking up form.

"Liverpool have been on a very good run and have very good players," Pochettino said. "But we will go all out to play very well in order to get the three points.

"We have to know who we are facing, but we also have a winning mentality and we are definitely going to try and win and that mentality is growing within my group every day."

Expected lineups: Southampton: Boruc; Yoshida, Fonte, Hooiveld, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Cork; Rodriguez, Ramirez, Lallana; Lambert.

Liverpool: Jones; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard; Downing, Suarez, Coutinho; Sturridge.

Prediction: 2-2

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