3-1.

Well, this was depressing. Bring out the “one step forward, two steps back for Liverpool” statements. Although they are true in a way. Beating a top-five season (Tottenham) last weekend was supposed to be the kickstart to the final run-in of games, a run that could bring back a possible European qualification. But as usual, the game against Southampton was cheaply lost. 1-3. Sturridge had a poor game again, I wonder why Joe Allen was played ahead of Lucas even though the former Swans player is clearly struggling with an injured shoulder and is supposed to be on the operating table soon. Ball retention was poor, there was no possession at all, forget tiki-taka. All this does not take away from the fact that the Saints were solid in midfield, never letting Allen or Gerrard dominate and play the kind of passes that would have let Coutinho and Suarez wreak havoc upfront. It was a dismal game to watch. But what is really worrying is the shoddy state of the defence. Johnson, Skrtel, Agger and Enrique – all were poor, especially the first two. Skrtel’s dip in form and confidence is really a shocker. Even though Jones made a few top-drawer saves, he was let down by the men in front of him, the line of defence that is supposed to stand strong but failed miserably. Carragher is being missed. His ability to actually take control on the field and marshal the men around him, shout his lungs out and dominate proceedings – I have no idea who is going to take his place in the next season. It is going to be extremely difficult without him at the heart of defence. Can someone coax him to postpone his retirement plans and stay on for a few more seasons?

Full time result: Southampton FC 3 (Schneiderlin, Lambert, Rodriguez) Liverpool FC 1 (Coutinho)

Song of the Day: Going Nowhere (Oasis).