After drawing on Monday, Brendan Rodgers’ side look to get back to winning ways when the Saints visit Anfield and our tipster backing the hosts to start quickly

Liverpool welcome Southampton to Merseyside on Saturday afternoon looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

With Arsenal and Tottenham both playing on Sunday, the Reds have a chance to extend their lead in the Premier League early in the season. When these two sides met last December at Anfield, a Daniel Agger goal just before half time was good enough to give Liverpool the three points.

After a thrilling 2-2 draw against Swansea on Monday night stopped their 100 per cent record in the league, the home side will be keen to bounce back to winning ways after a fantastic start.

Rodgers’ side had recorded three straight wins in the league prior to that game, beating Stoke City, Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Unsurprisingly they come into this match as heavy favourites, with BetVictor pricing them at 8/13 (1.62) to take all three points.

Southampton come into this match struggling to find consistent form. Mauricio Pochettino’s side drew 0-0 with West Ham in a bore draw last Sunday, which followed their 1-0 loss away to Norwich City.

Their only victory this season in the league came away at West Brom, with the ever present Rickie Lambert scoring late in a 1-0 win.

Saturday will be a tough ask for the Saints, with BetVictor pricing the away side at 5/1 (6.00) to cause a surprise. The same firm price the draw at 16/5 (4.20).

With Liverpool outright a little too short to touch, a bet that stands out in this match is the Reds to be leading at half time at even money (2.00) with BetVictor.

They have fired out of the blocks in their majority of games this season and with this bet paying out in all five of their competitive fixtures, it’s a fantastic bet to back.

For those looking for more value, look no further than Liverpool’s in form striker. Daniel Sturridge has been on fire this season, netting in every match he’s played in, finding the goal six times in five matches.

The price of him to score first at 18/5 (4.60) is a little short to invest in, but the price of him to score anytime at 11/8 (2.36) is certainly worth backing.

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