1 Liverpool
1 Southampton
by James Nalton
at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are still without a win after they drew at home to Southampton, despite going ahead through a Christian Benteke header.

The German’s work in progress came up against a well-drilled Ronald Koeman side who defended well and posed a threat of their own on the counter-attack.

The opening stages of the game saw both teams enjoy periods of possession but they lacked quality when it mattered.

Liverpool captain James Milner saw a shot fly wide after a one-two with former Southampton man Adam Lallana, while Virgil van Dijk had a header saved by Simon Mignolet after finding himself unmarked at a free-kick for the visitors.

Alberto Moreno ballooned a shot over after being put through by Milner, in a move which summed up a wasteful first half for both sides.

The home team introduced Benteke at the start of the second half, and also added more urgency to their attack.

Southampton threatened on the break as Liverpool dominated possession, giving the second half a structure and sense of entertainment which the first lacked.

A perfect recovery tackle from Moreno on Sadio Mane was one of the highlights. The Spaniard risked giving away a penalty, but his technique and timing was spot on.

Then, finally, an attacking highlight arrived. James Milner received the ball on the right and found Benteke with a pinpoint cross. The Belgian headed into the top corner of the goal at The Kop end, giving Saints’ ‘keeper Maarten Stekelenburg no chance.

Klopp celebrated on the touchline as his half-time substitute gave him a first goal in the Premier League as Liverpool manager, but the joy was short-lived.

Substitute Gaston Ramirez rose high at the far post to head a James Ward-Prowse free-kick towards goal, before Mane turned the ball into the net on the far post to give Southampton a deserved equaliser.

Neither side could do enough to take the three points as the game drew to a close. Mane’s sending off in the final minutes after picking up a second yellow mattered little, but a point apiece sees both sides creep into the top half of the table.