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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 17, 2014: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring the second goal against Southampton during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

LFC 2-1 Southampton Paper Reaction: “Who needs Luis?”

Liverpool got their Premier League campaign off to a winning start against Southampton, and we round up how the morning papers and social media reacted to the game.

Liverpool defeated an impressive Southampton side at Anfield on Saturday, as Brendan Rodgers’ men gained maximum points on the opening day of the season.

Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge got the goals for the Reds, but in truth it was probably a game they were lucky to win. The Saints enjoyed plenty of possession, and only a sensational late save from Simon Mignolet ensured all three points.

There were promising debuts from both Javier Manquillo and Dejan Lovren, but also worrying displays by the likes of Glen Johnson and Lucas Leiva.

Here’s what the back pages and twitter made of Liverpool’s hard-fought victory at Anfield on Sunday.

 

JOURNALISTS

The Daily Telegraph‘s Paul Hayward believes that, although the loss Luis Suarez was evident, Sturridge is more than ready to fill the void:

“Anfield, on a cold August Sunday, was a theatre missing its great thespian. The eye went looking for last year’s footballer of the year but the ear told the story. Liverpool’s home was subdued for long stretches. The pace was slower than on the best days last season.

“There was no sharp-fanged No 7 to pull Southampton‘s defence around and dart through the gaps to inflict havoc. There was not the same automatic menace that comes with having a forward of Suárez’s class hunting around the penalty box.”

The Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce emphasised how important grinding out the win could prove to be in Liverpool’s season:

“The hope is that this result will have the same kind of galvanising effect on Rodgers’ squad as the scruffy victory over Stoke 12 months earlier.

“That win gave Liverpool the platform to launch their most impressive top-fight campaign for more than two decades as they exceeded all expectations and came within a whisker of landing the title.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 17, 2014: Liverpool's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring the first goal against Southampton during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Carl Markham of the Independent was encouraged by the performance of Dejan Lovren, who impressed hugely on his Premier League debut for the Reds:

“While a suitable replacement up front still remains a target for Brendan Rodgers, arguably his most important summer signing was that of Dejan Lovren – who made his debut against the club he left acrimoniously, albeit for £20million.

“Liverpool are still looking for a leader in defence to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher’s retirement the year before last and the manager’s hope is the Croatian fits the bill as it was an area of weakness which cost them valuable points in their surprise title challenge last season.

Ed Malyon of the Mirror praised the competitive debut of Javier Manquillo, in particular the ease at which he settled into the hustle and bustle of the Premier League:

“Javi Manquillo was given a fairly big vote of confidence when he was picked in the starting XI for the Premier League’s opening game.

“The young Spaniard appeared to have plenty of drive going forward and no problems embracing the crunching tackles of English football. Indeed, his leveller of Dusan Tadic for which he was booked in the first half was the sort of “welcome to the Premier League” challenge usually doled out by old-school defenders.”

 

TWITTER

Ex-Players

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen:

Reds legend Jamie Carragher:

Former Liverpool star John Aldridge:

Ex-Liverpool defender Jason McAteer:

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