Best of the battles between Saints and Liverpool

There have been many wonderful games between the sides over the years, at both The Dell and St Mary’s, with Saints securing their share of famous results.

Here, we look back at ten of the best...

March 16, 2013 Saints 3 Liverpool 1 Premier League

Saints, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, produced one of their finest displays of the season in a result that eased their relegation fears.

Morgan Schneiderlin prodded home from Jay Rodriguez’s knock-down in the sixth minute, before a Rickie Lambert free-kick deflected off Daniel Sturridge for the second.

Philippe Coutinho gave Liverpool hope right on half-time, slamming home from close range, but Jay Rodriguez sealed the win when he brilliantly burst through the Liverpool defence late on and beat keeper Brad Jones at the second attempt.

March 14, 2004 Saints 2 Liverpool 0 Premiership

Paul Sturrock suffered an ignominious spell in charge of Saints, but his first game actually saw him get off to a brilliant start.

It wasn’t without a healthy dose of good fortune, though, as an inspired Antti Niemi made a string of stunning saves – including one from a late Michael Owen penalty when the score was 1-0.

James Beattie might have been offside when he lifted the ball over Jerzy Dudek for the first, while Kevin Phillips’ goal near the end looped in via a huge deflection off John Arne Riise, but no one at Saints cared.

January 9, 2002 Saints 2 Liverpool 0 Premiership

A memorable night under the floodlights at St Mary’s, as Gordon Strachan’s team gave a glimpse of the sort of performance that was to come more regularly from them.

They took the lead through James Beattie’s 63rd-minute penalty, after Matt Oakley had been sent sprawling by Sami Hyypia.

The result was put beyond doubt in comical fashion shortly afterwards, as Marian Pahars’ left-wing cross looped high into the sky off the head of John Arne Riise, went over keeper Jerzy Dudek and nestled into the Liverpool defender’s own net.

August 26, 2000 Saints 3 Liverpool 3 Premiership

Ok, so this wasn’t a win for Saints, but for many fans this will rank as one of the most cherished games against Liverpool.

Trailing 3-0 to a brace from Michael Owen and a Sami Hyypia goal, Saints launched a stunning late fightback, with Matt Le Tissier coming off the bench in the final half-hour to help turn the tide.

Marian Pahars headed in the first with 17 minutes left, before Tahar El Khalej made it 3-2 with his own header after 85 minutes.

Then, deep into injury time, Pahars sparked wild celebrations when he slotted home with his left foot from Djimi Traore’s misjudged header towards his own goal.

February 14, 1994 Saints 4 Liverpool 2 Premiership

Arguably, this remains the most iconic home victory over Liverpool in the club’s history.

It started on a snowy evening, in front of the Sky TV cameras, with Matt Le Tissier thumping home a sumptuous right-footer from 25 yards with just 28 seconds on the clock.

Craig Maskell headed past Bruce Grobbelaar to double the lead after just eight minutes, before Le Tissier made it 3-0 from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.

It was 4-0 immediately after the break, as Le Tissier completed his hat-trick with another spot kick, with late goals from Julian Dicks and Ian Rush proving mere consolations.

October 21, 1989 Saints 4 Liverpool 1 Division One (old)

When Liverpool – who would win the title at a canter – arrived at The Dell on this occasion, they were undefeated in the league.

Saints blew them away, however, with Paul Rideout heading in a Jason Dodd cross at the near post in the 24th minute to kick-start the rout.

Rod Wallace then struck either side of half-time, with Matt Le Tissier providing the assist on both his confidently-taken efforts, to make it 3-0.

Peter Beardsley netted a penalty with just over half-an-hour left, but any hopes of a comeback for the visitors were scotched when Le Tissier headed home a Wallace cross in the 85th minute.

March 16, 1984 Saints 2 Liverpool 0 Division One (old)

The best league season in Saints’ history featured a stunning win against a Reds team which, a few months later, would not only pip Lawrie McMenemy’s side to the title by just three points, but would also win the European Cup.

In what was the first ever live TV match at The Dell, on a Friday night, Liverpool were humbled.

Danny Wallace gave Saints the lead just before half-time, with a stunning scissor kick that flew past Bruce Grobbelaar.

Wallace then finished things off with a superb header from Mark Dennis’ 85th-minute cross.

April 16, 1983 Saints 3 Liverpool 2 Division One (old)

This was a brilliant, back-and-forth battle with a Liverpool side that, by this stage, were strolling towards the league title and had beaten Saints 5-0 at Anfield earlier in the season.

Steve Moran’s early penalty put Saints in front, but Kenny Dalglish levelled before Craig Johnston gave Liverpool a 16th-minute lead.

Saints levelled midway through the first half via Nick Holmes’ finish from a Steve Williams cross, before Holmes hooked a stunning effort over Bruce Grobbelaar from 30 yards just before the interval to score what proved to be the winner.

September 1, 1979 Saints 3 Liverpool 2 Division One (old)

Saints got their first league win of the 1979/80 season, when the defending champions came to The Dell.

Trevor Hebberd’s rasping shot after 12 minutes put them 1-0 up, only for David Johnson to equalise four minutes later.

Phil Boyer’s 65th-minute effort restored Saints’ lead, before Charlie George struck from the edge of the area two minutes later to make it 3-1.

Colin Irwin pulled one back for Liverpool with 16 minutes left.

August 24, 1960 Saints 4 Liverpool 1 Division Two (old)

Saints’ first home match after a seven-year absence from the old Second Division proved to be a memorable one.

It didn’t start too well, though, as Tommy Leishman fired Liverpool into an 11th-minute lead at The Dell.

The advantage didn’t last long, however, as John Sydenham burst through the middle and poked home a right-footed effort eight minutes later.

By half-time, Saints were 3-1 up, with George O’Brien converting a Terry Paine pass before Derek Reeves headed in another.

Paine finished off the rout in the 52nd minute, from a Reeves cross.