Liverpool scythe their way through the Saints defence with consummate ease, tapping weighted passes to each other before Mohamed Salah's lay off to Roberto Firmino is just under-hit and the ball is cleared.

The hosts have put together some superb sequences so far but their goals have come from a fortuitous deflection and a header from a corner.

Southampton try to work in an opening round the Liverpool area and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gets the ball in space but his shot is blocked by Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk then cuts out a cross from the right before Trent Alexander-Arnold nips in front of Matt Target to prevent the Saints winger getting to Nathan Redmond's teasing cross.

Astute defending by the hosts.

Image source, Reuters

Shane Long is back on his feet and OK to continue.

Postpublished at 22 mins

22 mins

Liverpool 2-0 Southampton

Saints striker Shane Long is now down with an ankle injury and in need of treatment.

It really was wonderful defending by Cedric to nip in and deny Salah after a superb one-two with Firmino.

But Liverpool won't mind being denied a beautiful goal, when Matip can batter in headers like that from the corner that follows.

Cedric Soares gets in behind down the right and Alisson punches away his cross a tad unconvincingly.

Again Saints target Liverpool on that flank as Nathan Redmond gets into the box in front of Roberto Firmino but his cross/shot flies wide.

A brief appeal from Redmond that he was fouled but nothing doing.

Alisson gets the ball near his own goal line with a Southampton attacker in close attention.

He doesn't repeat his Leicester gaffe though, with Virgil van Dijk on hand to help him work it away.

Southampton respond with a couple of promising moves of their own before picking up a corner.

It's towards Jannik Vestergaard, who makes decent contact from deep, but the ball flies wide.

Salah sweeps forward and sticks it out right to Mane, who stands up a cross back towards the onrushing Egpytian...

But once again Vestergaard is back to head it away for a corner.

Image source, Reuters

Southampton gets free down the left and Matt Targett swings in a low cross towards Shane Long, who has stolen a march on Virgil van Dijk.

But Van Dijk does superbly to stick in a foot and deflect it away for a corner. Promising opening for Saints.

Liverpool clear the corner though and break up the other end...

Andrew Robertson collects Jannik Vestergaard's clearance but his cross is hacked away.

Again Vestergaard is there to deal with another Liverpool cross. Excellent defending by the Denmark defender.

Liverpool already have Southampton pegged back deep, with Shane Long very isolated up front.

A tough afternoon in store for the visitors.

Image source, Reuters

Xherdan Shaqiri, making his first start for Liverpool, gets in loads of space down the right and gets free of Wesley Hoedt to stand up a cross...

Oh! Roberto Firmino rises free in the box but can't get enough on the header and glances it wide. Good chance.

Roberto Firmino gets space to turn and drive before feeding Mohamed Salah, whose pass round the corner is poor.

Saints can't clear though and Xherdan Shaqiri tries to slide in Firmino before the visitors do break it up and win a throw.

Image source, Reuters

Shane Long tries to get Nathan Redmond in behind down the right but Liverpool are alert and snuff out the attack before settling on the ball.

And Liverpool get the game under way...

Southampton get into a huddle as You'll Never Walk Alone rings out around Anfield.

Liverpool could win their first seven matches in all competitions to start the season for the first time.

Both sides are out on the pitch and the pre-match handshakes are taking place...

Danny Ings is ineligible to face his parent club, while Manolo Gabbiadini has a hamstring problem, hence why Shane Long is leading the line for Southampton today.

The Republic of Ireland striker has scored two goals in his last 51 games.

Just the two former Saints players in Liverpool's squad for this one - but a big two in Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane.