Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor believes Southampton fans are sick of Russell Martin’s approach and recalled a long ball being greeted with glee by the supporters in Saints’ 3-2 loss to the Reds on Sunday.
Southampton appeared to be on the verge of a major upset during Sunday’s Premier League match on the south coast, and they did led 2-1 until Mohamed Salah’s 65-minute equalizer.
Liverpool then won the game from the penalty spot, with Salah scoring twice with seven minutes remaining, to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League standings.
There has been criticism of Saints manager Martin’s stubbornness on adhering to his philosophy and approach in the top division, despite the fact that many believe it is not working.
Mellor, a former Liverpool player, says that the Southampton fans are equally dissatisfied with Martin’s rigidity and cited an example from the game to back up his claim.
“I don’t know if you heard it, but in the second half, they passed it back to the goalkeeper, the goalkeeper just booted it long into our half” , Mellor commented after the game on LFC TV.
“The fans cheered.
“They have had enough of it.
“They’ve had enough of playing [out from the back].”
Mellor does not believe Southampton’s fortunes will improve, and he expects them to remain at the bottom of the league.
“They battled today and gave us a game, but I don’t believe they’ll battle and compete to stay in the league this year.
“I think they will be cut adrift.”
Southampton is the next team scheduled to visit Brighton.
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