Southampton v Liverpool | Finale Match Day| English Premier League 2023 | Live stream

Premier League: Southampton vs. Liverpool - Preview

In what is essentially a dead rubber fixture, Southampton and Liverpool will clash at St Mary's Stadium on the final day of the 2022-23 Premier League season. With both teams having nothing but pride to play for, it will be a chance to bring an underwhelming campaign to a close.

For Liverpool, the disappointment of missing out on a top-four finish was sealed after Manchester United defeated Chelsea, rendering their Europa League spot inevitable. Jurgen Klopp's side endured a challenging season, with their struggles in the first two-thirds ultimately costing them. However, a recent unbeaten run of 10 matches has provided some optimism and a platform to build upon in the summer.

Although a rebuild is needed, Klopp remains positive about their fifth-place finish, considering their position a couple of months ago. The focus now shifts to the transfer market, where Liverpool will look to strengthen their midfield and address other areas to bounce back stronger next season.

In terms of away form, Liverpool has shown improvement in recent matches, winning three consecutive Premier League games on the road. Their ability to find the net has also improved, scoring 11 goals in these victories. They will seek to add to that tally against a Southampton side that has struggled defensively, conceding 69 goals this season.

Liverpool holds a dominant record against Southampton, winning 10 of their last 11 league meetings and conceding just five goals in their previous 13 encounters. They have also been strong finishers, winning their last six final-day fixtures since the 2015-16 season. On the other hand, Southampton has lost their previous two final-day matches and faces the risk of suffering three consecutive defeats to end the season.

For the hosts, it has been a miserable season, marked by managerial changes and a lack of consistency. They have managed to secure just six wins, the fewest in the league, and have suffered 25 defeats. Their relegation was confirmed after a 12-game winless streak and five consecutive losses leading up to the clash with Liverpool.

Despite their struggles, Southampton has shown glimpses of raising their game against stronger opponents, as evidenced by victories over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal. However, a win in this match would do little to alleviate the disappointment of their overall campaign.

Looking ahead, Southampton will be focusing on bouncing back immediately from their relegation under the expected incoming boss, Russell Martin. The attention will shift to rebuilding and regaining their place in the top flight.

As both teams take to the field for the final time this season, the Southampton vs. Liverpool match may lack significance in terms of standings, but it provides an opportunity for players to end the season on a positive note and for fans to bid farewell to a challenging campaign.

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