Five things we learned from Southampton v Liverpool

Here are five things we learned from the game:

1. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s big call:

Danny Ings pulls a goal back for Saints

Saints boss Hasenhuttl made a big call by leaving Danny Ings on the bench for the Liverpool match.

The striker wasn’t at his best, along with the rest of the team, at Burnley last weekend and paid the price, as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg took his starting spot.

However, the 27-year-old took it in his stride and when he eventually came on, he gave Saints a fighting chance of earning a point after his 83rd minute goal.

2. The defence were at fault…again:

Sadio Mane was allowed the time and space to give Liverpool the lead

Although we haven’t just stumbled upon the idea of Saints’ defence losing concentration at crucial times, it’s worth pointing out that it happened again on Saturday.

Jan Bednarek failed to close down Mane and prevent him from curling Liverpool into the lead before losing possession to the winger which also led to the Reds’ second goal.

They looked a lot more comfortable at the back than they did against Burnley, but if Kevin Danso is the answer, then he will do well to single-handedly fix all of the problems.

3. Nathan Redmond and Che Adams performed well as a duo:

Nathan Redmond attempts to take on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Saints pair Redmond and Adams were given license to attack the Liverpool defence and did exactly that.

Adams’ pace saw him get in behind the Anfield side’s backline, he was just unable to force Adrian to make a save.

Redmond was the one positive to come from the Burnley defeat, with him also proving to be a nuisance to defend against Liverpool.

If the pair can continue to develop a partnership, there won’t be many defences who will fancy going toe-to-toe with them.

4. Saints missed too many opportunities:

Maya Yoshida comes close to giving Saints a first-half lead

Hasenhuttl’s side could have had at least two goals in the first half:

Defender Maya Yoshida had an excellent chance to put Saints ahead when he was picked out by a James Ward-Prowse corner.

The Japanese international was left unmarked in the box but could only direct his header straight at Adrian, as opposed to either side of him for a guaranteed goal.

Like Yoshida, Adams also had the opportunity to break the deadlock with his head, but his attempt went just wide.

5. The St Mary’s side can feel confident going into next weekend’s match:

Ralph Hasenhuttl can take plenty of positives into next weekend's Brighton match

Saints travelled to the Amex Stadium last season in desperate need of a win to help them beat the drop.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the winner on that day and, with the way they played in periods against Liverpool, they should feel confident of beating them again.

Should they leave the Amex with nothing, then the Premier League table will make for some pretty torrid reading.

They won’t want to be heading into the Manchester United, Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Tottenham fixtures with no points on the board.