Liverpool 1-1 Southampton: Klopp made to wait for first Reds win as Saints score late equaliser

Liverpool drew for the third time in three matches under the management of Jurgen Klopp, as Southampton came from behind to take a deserved point at Anfield.

The Reds were on course for victory when substitute Christian Benteke scored a magnificent header on 77 minutes. But an inability to deal with set pieces led to Southampton getting the equaliser five minutes from time, as Liverpool’s dodgy defending was punished by the dangerous Sadio Mane.

It was probably a fair result and leaves ninth-placed Southampton one place above Liverpool in the Premier League table, with both clubs on 14 points, six adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

In the first half Liverpool averaged 62 per cent possession, but to borrow a classically cutting Brian Clough phrase, they floated like a butterfly… and stung like one.

The Reds had nine shots at goal in the opening 45 minutes, a number they have bettered this season only in their impressive first period away to Arsenal, but more damningly they managed just one effort on target.

With Daniel Sturridge again ruled out with injury, Klopp opted to start Divock Origi up front, as £32.5m man Christian Benteke was placed on the bench as he continues his return to fitness.

There was plenty of scorn poured by Liverpool supporters before kick off on the selection of Origi, and the home team looked toothless in the first half.

Indeed, it was Southampton who came closest to breaking the deadlock before the break.

On 38 minutes Virgil van Dijk should have given Saints the lead, when he was allowed to waltz into the penalty area unmarked for a free header from a free-kick.

Sadly for the travelling support, the Dutchman could only aim a weak header that Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal palmed away with relative ease.

It was a big let off for Liverpool, but from the resulting corner, Van Dijk again got free and sent a header towards the goal, only for Lucas to clear.

These near misses served an ominous warning of Liverpool’s defensive weakness that Southampton would ultimately profit from. But with the score 0-0 at the break, Klopp introduced Christian Benteke in place of his Belgium team-mate, Origi, for the second half.

And Liverpool immediately demonstrated more purpose in their attacking play, with Benteke’s presence seemingly lifting his team-mates, as well as the home crowd.

Alberto Moreno looked a danger for Liverpool, marauding down the left-hand side and the Spaniard sent a dangerous cross-cum-shot fizzing across the box on 55 minutes.

But Southampton held firm and after weathering a flurry of attacks began to test Liverpool’s defending again, with a Mane break forcing Moreno into a perfectly timed last ditch sliding tackle on the hour, as the Senagalese bore down on goal.

Both coaches made a flurry of substitutions, Ronald Koeman bringing on James Ward-Prowse and Juanmi for Dusan Tadic and Jordie Clasie, respectively, in the 64th and 75th minutes, while Klopp introduced Roberto Firmino for Lallana on 67 minutes.

And it was another substitute, Benteke, who edged Liverpool ahead after 77 minutes, thanks to an imperious header from a beautifully flighted right wing cross, delivered by James Milner.

The Belgian striker still had plenty to do when the ball was whipped in, beating his marker and sending the ball powerfully into the top right corner at the Kop end.

It seemed as if Anfield would have their first victory of the Klopp era to celebrate, but in truth they had never convinced and they buckled just minutes later.

That inability to deal with set pieces came back to haunt Liverpool with 85 minutes gone, as Mane turned in the equaliser from point blank range, after Gaston Ramirez - brought on in the 80th minute - had headed a Ward-Prowse free-kick over Mignolet to the far post.

After his first match in charge, much was made of the amount of running Klopp’s Liverpool did away to Tottenham.

A week later, the draw with Southampton demonstrated that his new team need to work their socks off in other ways, too, namely practising their set piece organisation and finishing.