LIVERPOOL begin BPL campaign with 2-1 win over SAINTS

Brendan Rodgers’ men got their campaign off to a winning start as they edge Ronald Koeman’s men at Anfield .

Daniel Sturridge earned Liverpool three points with a late goal as they recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Southampton in the Barclays Premier League at Anfield.

Liverpool were far from their flowing best and laboured going forward. But Sturridge, who has become Liverpool’s main man in attack after the exit of Luis Suarez, saved the day with a predatory finish from four yards with just 11 minutes to play.

The hosts controlled the first half, but chances were few against a Southampton side playing under manager Ronald Koeman for the first time.

One of those opportunities led to the opening cool, as an exquisite Jordan Henderson through-ball set up Raheem Sterling, who produced a cool finish midway through the first half. Nathaniel Clyne’s powerful effort levelled proceedings in the 56th minute and Liverpool, who finished second last term, could have gone behind but Steven Davis missed a golden opportunity. The midfielder was made to pay as Sturridge reacted quickest to Sterling’s header to prod home.

There were still nervy moments for the home crowd, who saw Morgan Schneiderlin’s fierce effort tipped on to the bar by Simon Mignolet, before substitute Shane Long headed the rebound wide, but Liverpool held on for victory.

Former Southampton defender Dejan Lovren was one of two new Liverpool signings included from the beginning, alongside Javier Manquillo, while Schneiderlin started alongside four fresh faces for the visitors, who won the corresponding fixture last season.

While Liverpool controlled the opening stages, all they had to show for it was a pair of half-chances. Sturridge first fired into the Kop before Sterling shot straight at Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster but a genuine piece of quality from Henderson helped them break the deadlock.

From inside his own half, the midfielder hit an inch-perfect pass with his left foot that split defenders Jose Fonte and Clyne to set Sterling free. The 19-year-old showed excellent composure to slot past Forster and open the scoring.

James Ward-Prowse almost levelled for Southampton when a long-range free-kick caught the wind in the 34th minute and nearly crept in. Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet was alert to the danger and was also called into action on the stroke of half-time, doing well to tip a fizzing Schneiderlin effort over.

They were warning signs the home side did not heed, though, and Clyne drew Southampton level 11 minutes after the break. Clyne played a neat one-two with Dusan Tadic, who sent the defender through on goal with a clever backheel. Clyne, who was allowed to run into the penalty area untracked by Lucas Leiva, hammered past Mignolet and into the top-right corner.

It could have got worse for Liverpool when Ward-Prowse centred for a free Davis in the penalty area, but the Northern Ireland midfielder could only shoot at Mignolet after an excellent team move.

Rickie Lambert came off the bench to feature against his former club, but it was his strike partner, Sturridge, who stole in front of Clyne to score the winner, while Mignolet’s heroics at the other end were just as crucial.

Liverpool starting lineup (4-3-3): Simon Mignolet; Glen Johnson, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Javier Manquillo; Steven Gerrard, Lucas (Joe Allen 63′), Jordan Henderson; Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho (Rickie Lambert 76′).

Goals: Sterling 24′, Sturridge 79′.

Southampton starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Fraser Forster; Ryan Bertrand, Maya Yoshida, Jose Fonte, Nathaniel Clyne; Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama; Dusan Tadic (Shane Long 74′), James Ward-Prowse, Steven Davis (Lloyd Isgrove 81′); Graziano Pelle.