da blaze casino： There’s two kinds of 0-0s in football.
da casino： The first is an absolute snore-fest of a game that no fan ever wants remember or even admit to attending. And there’s the one that has you on the edge of your seat and leaving you to wondering; ‘just how did that stay goal-less?’
Well, the latter is how many would have felt on their way home from St. Mary’s as Southampton and Liverpool played out an entertaining 0-0 draw this afternoon.
The Reds went into the game as the league leaders and many were expecting them to carry on their fine run of goal-scoring form.
Indeed, they threatened enough to suggest they would but simply couldn’t finish things off as they found a stubborn Saints defence, led by an inspired Virgil Van Dijk, in their way.
The south coast club also had a handful of chances to nick the three points in front of their fans but neither side could grab a winner and the game finished scoreless.
A no-score draw, then, but plenty of entertainment. Here are five fantastic pictures to have emerged from the clash.
Superb Van Dijk performance
Virgil van Dijk was absolutely top drawer today in another performance that saw his stock rise further. He’s had a fantastic season so far and has arguably been the best defensive player in the Premier League – averaging the joint-most successful aerial duels of any centre-back. Southampton will be pleased they’ve got him, then, but will no doubt be wondering if a bid could be on its way once the transfer market opens in January.
Former players fail to haunt old side
In recent years, a lot has been made when Southampton play Liverpool, particularly about the returning players coming to St. Mary’s after joining the Anfield side. Today, though, the idea of old players haunting their former team fell short as Sadio Mane failed to score for the Reds. One consolation will be that Nathaniel Clyne and Dejan Lovren helped keep a clean sheet, with the latter getting some serious abuse from the home fans. Adam Lallana, fortunately for him, was absent.
Frustrating day for Liverpool
Both Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino had great chances to get the three points and in truth, on another day, the Reds could have completely battered Southampton. In the end, though, it wasn’t to be and the Reds faithful will be hoping this is just a tiny blip in their free scoring run. Putting the frustration straight out of mind will be key to the Reds bouncing back next time out when they face David Moyes’ Sunderland.
Southampton miss their chance
Southampton didn’t have many chances today but the one that fell to Charlie Austin could have been enough. It seemed like one of those games for Liverpool where they could have played all night without finding the net, so the Saints really could have nicked it through the former QPR man in the end. You can see in Austin’s face just how important that chance was, given the rarity in which the Saints managed to produce shots at goal this afternoon.
Work to do for Klopp
There’s been two questions about Liverpool this season – their defence and whether they can break well-organised teams down. Whilst the back-line looked solid, their usually potent attack was blunted by a solid rearguard performance from the Saints, lead by the aforementioned van Dijk. At Anfield, the Reds seem able to blow any side away. But in the games where they need to travel and visit a side who sit back, improvement is needed from Jurgen Klopp’s boys.