Liverpool: Lawro Predicts Saints Result

What scoreline has former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson plumped for in the latest edition of his prediction feature?...

Ex-Liverpool centre-back turned media pundit Mark Lawrenson has expressed his thoughts ahead of old side's trip to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Writing in his regular 'Lawro Predicts' column for the BBC, the 55-year-old revealed he expects the inform Reds to edge the contest.

Here's what he had to say in full...

"Liverpool are really impressive at the moment, they are playing some really good football and everything is going their way.

"Tottenham looked a very good side for an hour or so at Anfield on Saturday, but a couple of moments of quality won it for Liverpool.

"As well as Luis Suarez, who just gets better and better, there is Daniel Sturridge, who joined from Chelsea in January and looks cheap at £12m, while Philippe Coutinho has come in and done well too.

"They are flying and there is no pressure on them whatsoever - their manager Brendan Rodgers is not saying that they are going to make the top four or anything like that, just things like his players are playing well and enjoying their football and seeing where it can take them.

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Suarez shines for Reds
"Suarez is massively in the mix to be the Professional Footballers' Association's player of the year.

"Because of the timing of the voting, which started in February, Tottenham's Gareth Bale has to be favourite because of his recent form. Robin van Persie has been quiet for a few weeks so Bale's number one challenger now is Suarez, who has just been fantastic no matter where he has played.

"You are not allowed to vote for your team-mates in this award and, when I was at Liverpool, one of the things that happens is tactical voting.

"So, if you think one of your boys has a good chance of winning it then you don't vote for the favourite. That's unfortunate but the way it is. It's one of the reasons I think the Football Writers' Award is probably the fairest."

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"I don't see Liverpool making the top four to be honest, although they have a reasonable chance of finishing fifth and a very good chance of finishing sixth.

"The Reds have no worries while, in contrast, the pressure is really on at the bottom-of-the-table for Southampton now.

"They looked jittery in their goalless draw with Norwich last week. I don't understand why they harangued the referee after Artur Boruc had made that great late penalty save from Grant Holt either."

Lawro's prediction: 1-2

About this former LFC player
Mark Lawrenson joined Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion for a then club record £900k in the summer of 1981. The Republic of Ireland international centre-back soon struck up a formidable partnership with Alan Hansen after injury to club stalwart Phil Thompson. After 332 appearances, Lawrenson left the club in 1989 and after a season playing in the American Soccer League went on to manage Oxford United and Peterborough United. During his time at Anfield 'Lawro' won 5 league titles, 3 League Cups, a European Cup and an FA Cup.

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