Saints manager Russell Martin will be without two key defensive players when Liverpool visit in the Premier League on Sunday
It’s bottom against top in the Premier League on Sunday. And you feel the side propping up the table, Southampton, will need a lot to go their way if they’re to take anything against Liverpool at St Mary’s.
So Saints boss Russell Martin may be a little concerned that he will be without some key players for the fixture, confirming that starting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and key defender Jan Bednarek will be sidelined.
“Aaron [Ramsdale] has had an operation on his finger, he’ll hopefully be back this side of Christmas,” he said at his press conference previewing the game.
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“Janny B, we spoke really quickly after the game. He was really worried about his knee injury. Thankfully the injury is not as significant as we fear, hopefully a week or two before Aaron.
“They’ve been two of our best players all season. Of course it will affect the team and how it looks but others need to step in and take their opportunity.”
Gavin Bazunu and Will Smallbone are both out with long-term injuries too.
Southampton’s only win of the campaign so far came against Everton. They have drawn one and lost nine of their other 10 matches since returning to the top flight.
Liverpool have a number of issues of their own to contend with too, as Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will all sit out the Southampton match. Following Sunday’s game, the Reds have a huge week coming up with matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City looming.
Ahead of the weekend’s games Liverpool were five points clear at the top of the Premier League and Martin was full of praise for Arne Slot and his players before the game.
“When you go into a club that’s built on something for so long with top players that have bought into that, he hasn’t changed too much,” Martin said. “It’s the best management at that point to continue some of the brilliant things they were good at, and put his own spin on it, which he has done.
“They are the best team in the country at the moment on current form.”
