Liverpool were denied their best ever start to a Premier League season by a defiant Southampton after losing 0-1 at Anfield despite a heroic performance by Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian goalkeeper made save after save including a breathtaking triple-save denying Steven Davis.
Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren were also denied by the stopper before the latter held off Daniel Agger to head in the winner for Mauricio Pochettino's men.
Saints keeper Artur Boruc denied Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge with some impressive saves of his own but all in all the home side struggled to create chances and break through a stubborn back line.
This was the second home defeat of 2013 for Brendan Rodgers' men, both against Southampton.
Southampton Goals: 1.: 52:56min Dejan Lovren (5).
Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 17 Sakho, 5 Agger (3 Jose Enrique - 57.), 37 Skrtel (6 Luis Alberto - 72.), 4 Toure; 12 Moses, 21 Lucas, 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson; 9 Aspas (31 Sterling - 45.), 15 Sturridge. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 47 Wisdom, 34 Kelly, 1 Jones, 33 Ibe.
Southampton Team: 31 Boruc; 23 Shaw, 5 Lovren, 6 Fonte, 2 Clyne (booked 81.); 4 Schneiderlin, 12 Wanyama, 20 Lallana (16 Ward-Prowse - 76.); 9 Rodriguez (18 Cork - 89.), 17 Osvaldo, 7 Lambert (8 Davies - 66.). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 10 Ramirez, 26 Hooiveld, 22 Chambers, 1 Davis.
Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Southampton
(Attack)
Shots: 10-12
On target: 5-7
Blocked: 1-2
From outside the box: 6-4
From inside the box: 4-8
Shot accuracy: 55.6%-70%
(General Play)
Possession: 55.2%-44.8%
Duels won: 51.5-48.5%
Aerial duels won: 54.8%-45.2%
Interceptions: 17-11 Offsides: 3-5
Corners: 6-6
(Distribution)
Total passes: 465-373
Long passes: 13.5%-13.4%
Passing accuracy: 77.4%-71.8%
Passing accuracy opp. half: 63.7%-61.7%
Total crosses: 18-19
Successful crosses: 11.1%-15.8%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 20-38
Tackles won: 70%-84.2%
Clearances: 27-29
Fouls conceded: 6-9
Yellow cards: 0-1
Red cards: 0-0
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 44,755
Man of the match: Simon Mignolet
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