Whilst a trip for an out of form Saints to an in form Liverpool is not one that Saints fans are relishing, it could be that this Saturday's game will suit us more than our last outing against Burnley.

The way Mauricio Pellegrino sets up his Saints side is not exactly the best formation when we play at home, with one striker up front and little creativity other than crossing to a 5ft 9 lone striker marked by two giant central defenders mean few chances are created and even fewer scored.

Manolo Gabbiadini likes to get the ball at his feet and run at defenders on the back foot, but he has had few opportunities at St Mary's this season with our opponents like West Brom & Burnley usually getting men behind the ball, putting up a brick wall and trying to catch us on the break.

This means we look comfortable for most of the game and it will rest on a key moment as to whom wins it, against West Brom it was Sofiane Boufal's amazing goal and against Burnley it was a lapse of concentration that let in Sam Vokes for their only real chance of the game.

But on Saturday at Anfield it will perhaps ironically suit us better, our central midfielders are better defensivly than they are creating chances and passing the ball into the channels, we will be able to play to our strengths which mean we can let them come on to us and then try and expose their weaknesses which means catching them on the break.

It will not be an afternoon for the feint hearted and it is not being negative, but Pellegrino's problems are caused by his failure to use his players to their ability's, he cannot see that he can't put square pegs into round holes and expect things to work, however assuming that he plays a similar line up to recent weeks, then this game will suit us a lot better than playing the likes of Burnley at St Mary's.

But our chances of a result still rely on Pellegrino getting it right, this is not a game to change things, although some will say different, it is a game to play as we have done all this season, a side that is set up to defend and attack on the break, it is just perhaps the first game that we actually need to play that way.

Pellegrino though has to play the right players, his team selections in recent games have been strange to say the least, if he gets it wrong then it will be a long afternoon, however if he gets it right we have nothing to fear, we can put out a side that can negate Liverpool's attacking falir and catch them on the break.

The only worry is that Pellegrino will for the first time this season try to attack and play two forwards, that will play right into Liverpool's hands.

Photo: Action Images

saintpp added 12:34 - Nov 15 Yes agree with all of that,it might even be one game where shane long should start to catch them on the break. Maybe 3cbs but risky to experiment in this game.Lemina being fit will be crucial.
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SanMarco added 12:46 - Nov 15 Attacking-wise MP, and CP for that matter, only has/had square pegs - Les didn't buy them any round ones. Liverpool won't keep scoring 0 against us so we will need goals from the usual suspects: Gabbi, Steven Davies, Yoshi or penalties...
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1970 added 13:27 - Nov 15 quite simply no is the answer to your question I expect to get a pasting and Pellegrino stating once again how well we played with a lacklustre van dijk strolling about his new home with nice smiles for his new team mates I don't think we have a chance but if anyone scores against them then they will be next to join the bin dippers maybe gabby or lamina this is the first time in years I dread this match so i would love it if we beat them coyr

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schatfield added 14:49 - Nov 15 I fear an absolute battering too.......although not as much as when we play Man City soon
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underweststand added 16:40 - Nov 15 There is no result which would surprise me from this game. Win or lose. With the recent record between the clubs, the transfers (good and bad) it all adds spice to the fixture - and the thought of maybe seeing VvD scoring Saints' winning goal would see Liverpool fans screaming for someone's head, or burning down the Kop. Sooner or later we will get back to scoring goals and perhaps even give someone a real hiding. Aside from the "anti-Forster" brigade, there can be few complaints about our defensive choices as we currently have around 5 CB's who could all DAJFU on the day. So it's down to the strike force to start putting shots inside the posts, and who knows?. I'd like to think we'd get at least one point, but as I said above..nothing would surprise.

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steve73 added 21:39 - Nov 15 It's a difficult call for the manager to make. On the one hand his natural cautious approach could indeed be perfect for this game. But it's got to be tempting to have a right go at their shambolic defence. Unfortunately I don't think we've got the qualities to expose them although I really don't think they're that good. The dream would be to win and keep a clean sheet without van dick even being in the squad. And I'll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.

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skiptonsaint added 18:08 - Nov 16 Want to be positive but Lemina out is a major blow. But I also think they look on us as a fixture a bit like we look at Everton away. Ie not a favourite one to play. So why not.
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mattthelegend added 19:23 - Nov 16 Clutching at straws, springs to mind. Still live in hope.
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zonehead added 22:44 - Nov 16 So what your saying nick is set up the team like Puel
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WanderingSaint added 10:37 - Nov 18 Unlike last season with Puel, where I thought we had a fair to good chance of getting a draw or 1 -0 win, I fear an absolute battering. The only positive is that we might have a decent manager by December.
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