Usually a clean sheet and a draw away to Southampton would be considered a good result, but that isn’t entirely the case having seen Liverpool waste several key chances in yesterday’s goalless draw.
Our opponents were forced into a defensive approach by the ever-present attacking threat posed by Liverpool’s forwards.
The chances were there for Jurgen Klopp’s men to win the game and extend their lead at the top of the table, but nobody could make the breakthrough.
While discussing his former side’s performance, Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports: “For one of the first times this season there was a lack of quality in front of goal.”
“Firmino’s was the standout chance, Matip could have done more – maybe been a bit braver from a fantastic [Philippe] Coutinho cross – and then Clyne at the back post.”
“It felt that it all went the wrong side of the post for them today. Sometimes you have days like that.”
“But a positive side for Liverpool is they didn’t do anything stupid at the back, they haven’t kept many clean sheets this season and they will be pleased they managed to do that.”
‘One of those days’ springs to mind.
It wasn’t even an inability to break down a packed defence that was our problem, it was simply failing to take good chances, that cost us.
Let’s just hope that we make up for our unusual lack of goals, against Sunderland next week. Roberto Firmino will be ruing his missed opportunity and will be undoubtedly keen to make amends.
The clean sheet poses as the main positive to take away, though. Southampton rarely troubled Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren and even when they did, our defence stood firm.
It was a controlled and dominant performance and a game that we certainly deserved to win.