'I don't think': Chris Sutton predicts the score when Liverpool face Southampton this Sunday

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Liverpool return from the international break to play Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Reds’ have by and large had a decent time of things with their respective countries but will surely be itching to get back to club football.

And on Sunday Liverpool have the chance to maintain – or extend – their lead at the top of the Premier League as they head to bottom club Southampton.

Second place Manchester City have a tricky looking game against Tottenham on Saturday evening, meaning that the Reds might be in with a chance of going more than the five points clear they currently are.

Arne Slot will have to strike a balance with his Liverpool squad, though, there are big games against Real Madrid and City on the horizon and there may be some weary legs following the international break.

And with Saints desperate for a big win to kick-start their own season, pundit Chris Sutton has predicted how the game will go.

Chris Sutton predicts Liverpool win

The pressure is on Man City to make sure they close the gap to Liverpool on Saturday.

They will know that the Reds are likely to put three more points on the board with their visit to the South Coast.

It should not be taken for granted that Liverpool will win, however. Southampton have been a little better than their tally of four points would suggest.

Nevertheless, there’s no getting away from the fact that Slot’s team are heavy favourites. And whilst predicting the score for BBC Sport, that’s exactly the way Sutton sees it, too.

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“Liverpool could not have wished for a better start under Arne Slot, whose side are five points clear at the top,” says the former striker.

“This is a game where everyone is expecting them to easily beat bottom side Southampton, and understandably so. I am expecting Liverpool to win too, but I don't think it will be an absolute walloping.

“Saints are scrapping and they proved they can be resilient when they lost narrowly to Manchester City at the end of last month, so they can make it hard for Slot’s side too. 2-0 to Liverpool.”

Liverpool’s last visit to St Mary’s

With Southampton in the Championship last season, Liverpool did not make the long journey down to St Mary’s Stadium in 2023/24.

The Reds did face Southampton in the FA Cup at Anfield in February, mind you, beating them 3-0 with a very young team out. Lewis Koumas and a Jayden Danns double put Liverpool into the quarter-final on that day.

The previous season saw Liverpool face a soon to be relegated Saints team home and away, with the game at St Mary’s coming on the final day of the season.

A crazy game ensued in what was Roberto Firmino’s final appearance for Liverpool. Early goals from Diogo Jota and Firmino put the Reds 2-0 up inside 15 minutes, but Saints roared back to lead 4-2 with 25 minutes remaining.

Cody Gakpo then halved the deficit before a second Jota goal meant Liverpool ended the season with a mad 4-4 draw.

As he always is, Slot will be hoping for a little more control on Sunday