Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson says he is concerned by the Reds’ lack of rest between the European Super Cup and their game against Southampton on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s men played 120 minutes in humid conditions and only returned from Istanbul on Thursday, with a 3 o’clock kickoff two days later. Even so, Lawrenson is backing Liverpool to come out on top at St Mary’s:

“Liverpool do not have much of a turnaround between Wednesday’s Super Cup in Istanbul and Saturday’s trip to St Mary’s. I still think the Reds will win on the south coast though.”

Lawrenson has gone for a 2-0 win for the away side. Whether it will be that comfortable, it remains to be seen. The Saints were poor in their 3-0 defeat to Burnley last weekend, but they are a different beast at home under Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Their pressing is extremely tough to deal with, as the Reds discovered when they had to battle to come from behind to win 3-1 at St Mary’s last April.

The short gap between Chelsea and the match against Southampton will also take its toll on the players too so this match may well be another big challenge for Klopp’s side.