James Milner misses penalty as Southampton dent Liverpool's top-four hopes with draw
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Updated 07/05/2017 at 14:59 GMT
Premier League, Anfield – Liverpool 0 Southampton 0
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England.
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Fraser Forster saved a James Milner penalty as Southampton held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
The home side dominated almost every aspect of the match but were unable to convert their superiority into the hard currency of goals.
And Milner, usually so measured from the spot, passed up a golden opportunity to give his side the lead after Jack Stephens was adjudged to have handled inside the box.
Liverpool continued to push for the winner but had to settle for a point that moves them back into third spot on 70 points.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are five points clear of Manchester United in fifth but have played two more games, meaning that Liverpool’s top-four destiny is no longer in their own hands.
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James Milner takes the penalty
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TALKING POINT
Southampton frustrate Liverpool again. The Reds have played Southampton four times now this season and not won any of those matches, drawing twice in the league and losing twice in the League Cup. The fact they’ve fired a blank in all four is damning, as is dropping more points against inferior opposition, and figuring out how to break down sides who sit behind the ball needs to be high on Klopp’s list of priorities for the summer.
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Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino watches the ball during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield
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MAN OF THE MATCH
Fraser Forster (Southampton). The game only had one real moment of drama, and it was one Forster emerged from victorious with an excellent penalty stop. He’s had a poor season overall, but rescued a point for his team today.
KEY MOMENTS
64’ – PENALTY! Out of nowhere Liverpool have a spot kick! A hopeful ball into the box is headed up in the air by Origi and then hits the unsuspecting Stephens on the arm. That's a big call.
66’ – SAVED! A great stop from Forster who dives low to his right to keep out Milner's well-hit penalty.
78’ – SAVE! Fantastic feet from Sturridge to manoeuvre the ball past three Southampton players but his toe poke finish is then straight at the goalkeeper.
90+2’ – SAVE! Milner cuts back onto his right foot and whips in a cross which Grujic flicks goalwards but Forster is there to tip over the bar.
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Southampton's English defender Jack Stephens (R) congratulates Southampton's English goalkeeper Fraser Forster after he saved a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield in Liverpool, north west
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PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 6, Matip 6, Lovren 6, Milner 6, Can 5, Lucas 5, Wijnaldum 5, Coutinho 5, Origi 5, Firmino 5. Subs: Lallana 6, Sturrudge 6, Grujic 6.
Southampton: Forster 7, Cedric 6, Stephens 6, Yoshida 7, Bertrand 6, Romeu 5, Davis 6, Ward-Prowse 6, Tadic 5, Boufal 5, Gabbiadini 5. Subs: Redmond 6, Long 5.
KEY STATS
- Liverpool have drawn 0-0 home and away against the same opponent in a Premier League season for the first time since 2008/09 against Stoke.
- The Reds had 32 shots without scoring against the Saints this season – only Hull against Sunderland (33) have had more without scoring.
- Jurgen Klopp has never beaten Southampton in the Premier League (D3 L1) – indeed, he has now faced them more than any other opponent without winning.
- James Milner failed to score a Premier League penalty for the first time since November 2009 (for Aston Villa against Bolton). He had scored his previous 11 in a row.
- Fraser Forster saved his first Premier League penalty – Milner’s effort was the ninth he’d faced.
- Forster was the first opposition goalkeeper to save a Premier League penalty at Anfield since Rob Green saved Steven Gerrard’s effort for QPR in May 2015.
- Indeed, only Vito Mannone (13 for Sunderland in January) has made more saves against Liverpool in a Premier League game this season than Forster (8) today.
- Only Hull (12) have conceded more Premier League penalties this season than Southampton (9).
- The Saints failed to have a single shot on target in either Premier League game against Liverpool this season.
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