Good afternoon! The Premier League returned with a bang yesterday, providing all of the drama, goals and incidents that we usually associate with the best league in the world. Here, it is the turn of Liverpool and Southampton to get their respective campaigns underway, with plenty of intrigue surrounding how both teams will fare over the next ninth months. Let's start with a look at our hosts today...

Last season was very much a bittersweet one for Liverpool in the end as they came within touching distance of a first ever Premier League title. Having ended the previous campaign down in seventh, no-one expected such a strong title challenge from the Reds, but a magnificent run of form over the second half of the season thrust them right up to the top of the table, and at one point it was very much in their hands to finally end their league drought.

We all know what happened then, however. An untimely slip by captain Steven Gerrard and a collapse against Crystal Palace saw Manchester City overtake Liverpool and win the title, leaving the Reds to ponder what might have been. Having come so close to a shock title success, the disappointment would obviously have been hard to take, but with a little distance Rodgers will certainly look back on the campaign as a successful one.

Even with their success last season, Liverpool were unable to keep hold of star striker Luis Suarez, who completed his move to Barcelona despite a four-month ban from all football related activity. The Reds have not brought in a marquee name to replace the Uruguayan, but have been busy during the transfer market with eight new additions, including three from Southampton. There are question marks over how Liverpool will cope without a player who scored 31 league goals last season and had a hand in plenty more, but Rodgers still has a strong squad at his disposal.

It was clear last season where Liverpool's strengths and weaknesses lay, and Rodgers has moved to address that this summer. Scoring goal was not a problem - indeed, they became the first team in Premier League history to have broken the 100-goal barrier and not win the title - but at the other end there were plenty of issues. They conceded 50 times, which was the most out of any of the top five. Champions Man City conceded 13 fewer, while Chelsea, who boasted the best record in the league, conceded almost half that amount.

Lovren has come in from Southampton in an attempt to rectify that, while Rodgers has also strengthened his full-back options with Manquillo and Moreno coming in. Depth will also be a key factor for the club this season as they return to the Champions League for the first time since 2009-10 and will need a big squad to cope with the extra demands that places on players. It really is interesting to see how the Merseyside outfit will do this season.

There have been promising signs in pre-season, with Liverpool reaching the final of the International Champions Cup, only to lose 3-1 to bitter rivals Manchester United in America. The Reds' last outing was the best of the lot as they played some lovely football on the way to a 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund. However, friendlies mean very little once the season actually gets underway, and Rodgers will have left his players in no doubt that the real business starts at Anfield this afternoon.

It will be interesting to see if Liverpool's style changes at all without Suarez. It is unlikely to happen considering the players they have at their disposal, with the likes of Sterling and Sturridge thriving on the counter-attack. Indeed, Liverpool scored nine times on the break last season, which was more than any other team in the top flight. They began their last campaign with a 1-0 win over Stoke - although they also have Mignolet to thank for a late penalty save - and that was their first win on the opening day for five seasons.

While Liverpool have lost their star player, Southampton have had an even worse time of it, losing no fewer than five players who would have played a key role had they stayed this season. Big money has come in to the Saints, but whether they can use that to adequately replace the outgoing talent remains to be seen. Talisman Adam Lallana, striker Rickie Lambert and defensive general Dejan Lovren have all made the move to Anfield, while Shaw and Chambers have also left for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.

It has been a summer of drastic change for the Saints, with manager Mauricio Pochettino also leaving to join Tottenham. Ronald Koeman is the man trusted with continue Pochettino's good work, but he has a very tricky job on his hands having lost so many big players. Koeman has certainly proved himself to be a capable, but there are major doubts over whether he can match the Saints' eighth-placed finish from last season.

The club have made a number of interesting signings, but the vast majority are new to English football and could take a while to settle. With Jay Rodriguez also currently injured it may be something of a struggle for Southampton in the early stages of the campaign, but if the likes of Pelle, Tadic and Taider can adapt quickly then the Saints will be expected to challenge in the top half once again.

Eighth was very much the right position for the club last season. They were a bit short of being good enough to break into the top seven, who seem to have edged away from the rest of the league, but they were certainly the best of the rest. No side below them in the league scored more than their 54 goals, while none conceded fewer than their 46 either. Indeed, the Saints actually conceded fewer goals than both Liverpool and Tottenham last season.

Despite a certain amount of doom and gloom around the club, things on the field have been fairly promising for the Saints so far this summer. They have enjoyed a good pre-season, winning five of their six outings. Those matches did come against teams they would have been expected to beat, however, with the only exception coming in their most recent match, which saw them fall to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

Southampton fans will have fairly fond memories on Anfield having won here early last season as well. They became the first team to beat Liverpool at home in the 2013-14 campaign and, as it turned out, were one of only two visiting teams to win at Anfield all season. This is a much different Southampton side visiting today, however, and the men who combined for that winning goal last September are now both Liverpool players. Lallana supplied the cross for Dejan Lovren to score.

Despite the losses of Lovren, Shaw and Chambers, Koeman will be desperate to keep up the defensive stability that greatly aided Southampton's success last season. They kept 15 clean sheets in the league, a tally that only Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City could beat. It will be tough for them to match that considering the quality of players to have left the club, but maintaining that level of performance will be near the top of the new manager's priority list.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and as expected there are a few debutants on show. Lovren starts against his former club, with Lambert on the bench, while Manquillo also makes his Liverpool bow at right-back. For Southampton, meanwhile, Forster, Bertrand, Tadic and Pelle all make their debuts today. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Manquillo, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren; Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson; Coutinho, Sterling, Sturridge

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Ibe, Can, Lambert

SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand; Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Ward-Prowse, Tadic; Pelle

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K Davis, Long, Taider, Cork, Hooiveld, Isgrove, Stephens

What can we make of those two teams, then. Well, it is pretty much as we expected for Liverpool, with Johnson moving over to left-back in the absence of the injured Flanagan and Moreno only having joined very recently. Agger is also injured at the moment, and it will be interesting to see who the preferred centre-back partnership is this season. You'd think that Lovren would be a regular given how much the club spent on him, which could mean Skrtel and Agger are battling it out for the second spot, should the latter stay with the club. Manquillo, meanwhile, makes his debut at right-back. What a huge occasion for the defender.

Behind the defence is Mignolet, who was the subject of some speculation this summer. Reina has returned to the club and since left again, this time permanently, so Mignolet will once again be the undisputed number one this season. He made a brilliant start to his Liverpool career with a penalty save on the opening day last season and will be hoping for some similar heroics this afternoon.

Another player linked with a move away from the club this summer was Lucas Leiva, but he starts today alongside Henderson and Gerrard in midfield. Gerrard's new role was something of a revelation last season as he operated much deeper than the player of old, and he will be looking for similar success in that position this time around. Henderson, meanwhile, has been rapidly improving and is one of the first names on the teamsheet now.

In front of that midfield lies an attack that wreaked so much havoc in the Premier League last season. Suarez has been removed, but the likes of Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge are all still fairly young and expected to improve again this season. Many have tipped Coutinho to step in and become a world-class player in the absence of Suarez, while Sterling also looks capable of reaching that level. Sturridge, meanwhile, scored 21 goals last season, earning his side 20 points - more than any other player in the league.

Attempted to stop that exciting frontline will be new signing Fraser Forster, who arrived for big money from Celtic. It looks like he will be their number one this season, raising questions over the future of Artur Boruc at the club. He certainly impressed during his time with Celtic, so much so that Barcelona were reportedly interested at one point, but the Premier League is a step up from the Scottish Premiership.

Clyne, Fonte and Yoshida are all familiar faces in the Southampton backline, so despite losing so many key players in defence they are not exactly a hastily-assembled, unrecognisable bunch. Bertrand is the only debutant in the back four for the visitors, but he has Premier League experience with Chelsea and Aston Villa and will be looking forward to getting a regular run in the side.

Perhaps the most notable inclusion for Southampton is Morgan Schneiderlin, who has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham this summer. Whether or not the Saints can keep hold of him remains to be seen - it would certainly be a big blow if he is to join the exodus - but his place in the starting XI today will be promising for Southampton fans. Often if a player is on the verge of leaving, the manager will not name him in the team, so his inclusion could be a hint that he will be staying put this summer.

Tadic and Pelle both make their debuts this afternoon, with plenty of pressure on their shoulders considering who they are replacing. Tadic looks to be a very good player, and Southampton fans will be excited by the fact that he created 133 goalscoring chances in the Eredivisie last season, a whopping 46 more than anyone else. There remains a question mark over Pelle, but when on form he can be a real handful for defences and he could prove to be an adequate replacement for Lambert.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! Last season, you would have backed Southampton to give any team in the league a game, but this time around it seems different. Koeman is a good manager and the players they have brought it look decent enough, but after such a summer of change it will probably take the team a bit of time to gel. They wouldn't have wanted a trip to Anfield on the opening day, that's for sure. I can't see past a Liverpool win this afternoon, and a fairly comfortable one as well. I'll go for 3-0 to the hosts.

My fellow Sports Mole Sofa dwellers agree that Liverpool should win this one fairly comfortably. You can take a look at our video preview of the match here:

Anfield has been a relatively happy hunting ground for Southampton in recent years considering the difference between the two clubs. The Saints have won half of their last four visits here, including that victory last season that put an end to Liverpool's good start to the campaign.

However, Southampton don;t have a great record on the opening day of the season. Their victory over Stoke last year was their first on the opening weekend of the Premier League since 1999, while they have only won two of their last seven. Add to that the fact that they have never won back-to-back away games against Liverpool in the league, and it looks to be a tough ask for Koeman's side today.

It is a big day for Liverpool today as they look to prove that they are genuine title contenders again. Many have tipped them to finish outside the top four due to Suarez's departure, but they have an early chance to get a lead on some of their rivals here. Manchester United lost yesterday, Everton drew, and Arsenal and Tottenham both needed injury-time goals to claim all three points. There hasn't been a really convincing performance yet, and Liverpool have a chance to change that here.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Liverpool get us underway at Anfield as the new season begins for both of these two clubs. Both sides have suffered big losses over the summer - how will they cope here?

Bright start to the match from Southampton as they look to attack what is a new-look Liverpool defence in the early stages. No chances just yet, but the game has started as a decent tempo here.

Lovren is being booed by the away fans every time he touches the ball, but the Liverpool fans are responding with cheers of their own when their new signing is in possession. He is seeing quite a bit of it at the moment as Liverpool get hold of the ball and knock it round the back.

The first glimpse of Sterling's pace as he races onto a superb through-ball from Sturridge, but the winger is forced out wide and Southampton eventually win a goal kick. The visitors recovered well there, but it was a first warning from the English duo.

SHOT! This time Sturridge chooses to go for goal himself, but he sends a powerful effort swerving a yard or so off target. It was a long way out for the striker, but he hit it well enough. Forster had it covered, though.

Liverpool are starting to get themselves into this match now and they are dominating possession. Gerrard floats a lovely ball over the top for Sturridge, but Fonte recovers well to concede a corner.

The hosts are looking comfortable at the moment as they keep possession well. Southampton are struggling to keep hold of the ball for any length of time, but so far are keeping the Reds at bay when they advance into the final third.

Much better from Southampton as they knock the ball nicely down the left flank before Bertrand's cross is just about dealt with by Skrtel. The visitors press from the front really well, but Liverpool play their way out and come forward on the break. Sturridge goes down under the challenge of Yoshida right on the edge of the box, but Mark Clattenburg waves the claims for a free kick away.

Not the best shot Johnson has ever had. The full-back comes in from the left to hit one from a long way out, but it is nowhere near troubling the keeper. Poor effort, and a waste of a decent position.

Clattenburg has been quite lenient in this match so far. There have been one or two tackles that could have warranted cautions, but so far he has kept his cards in his pocket.

The hosts have had 70% possession in the opening stages of this game, but are yet to really create anything. At the very least, that suggests a switch in style for Southampton, who were used to controlling possession themselves under Pochettino.

SAVE! Coutinho finds a little bit of space for the first time this afternoon and slides a short pass in for Sterling. The winger takes a decent first touch before digging a shot out that goes straight at Forster.

Very dodgy play from Mignolet as he comes to claim a corner but can't overpower Pelle. He eventually recovers to gather at the feet of Wanyama, who could have swung a boot at the ball there. The Liverpool keeper got away with one there.

Liverpool break the deadlock, and Raheem Sterling is up and running for the season! Henderson deserves huge credit for threading an inch-perfect through-ball to the youngster, who times his run to perfection, takes a touch and slides it into the bottom corner. Composed finish, but that was all about the pass from Henderson.

Liverpool, as they did so often last season, immediately get back on the front foot after scoring and knock on the Southampton door again. The visitors survive this time, but you feel that they may have to weather a bit of a storm here.

Better from Southampton as they come forward and look to hit back straight away. Schneiderlin attacks the near post well to get on the end of a low cross, but he fires a tough effort off target.

Johnson has another dig from range, and once again it is one to forget. The full-back picked the ball up around 35 yards from goal after a corner was cleared, but fired his effort well over.

Worrying moment for Southampton as Wanyama goes down amid a mass of bodies from a free kick. There didn't seem to be much in it, but the midfielder looks in a bit of pain holding his ankle. He should be able to continue, though, which is good news for Southampton as he has done a good job keeping Coutinho quiet so far.

Ward-Prowse has been assigned the role of keeping on Gerrard here, closing him down every time he gets the ball in his deeper role. He has done a good job of it so far, making sure the former England skipper doesn't have time to pick out the sort of passes that were so effective last season.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon goes to debutant Manquillo, who came through his man late. It is a harsh one from the ref, who has let worse tackles go already. More of a totting-up offence, I'd imagine.

SAVE! The resulting free-kick is a long way out, but Ward-Prowse almost sneaks it into the top corner. There is no doubt that the midfielder is looking to cross it, but his mis-hit delivery almost found the back of the net, but for a smart save from Mignolet.

Southampton are doing a decent job of keeping Liverpool's dangerous players quiet here. Coutinho and Sturridge have not been able to affect the game as they would have liked, with the hosts' main threat coming when Sterling races onto through-balls.

I saw some predictions that Southampton would finish in the bottom three this season, but so far there are no signs of that being the case. They aren't quite the team they were last season, but there have been plenty of positives to take from this first half so far.

SAVE! Ward-Prowse picks the ball up in a dangerous position for a player with his shooting ability, and immediately he looks to shape his body like a free kick to curl an effort into the top corner. He doesn't quite get it right, however, and Mignolet makes a routine stop.

The visitors have responded well to going behind here, growing into the half and playing some nice football along the way. They still haven't unduly worried Mignolet in the Liverpool goal, but there are promising signs for Koeman to build on at half time.

Liverpool have lost their way a little since their goal, and will be quite happy to go into the break right now. It has been a decent first half for them so far, but Southampton have worked their way back into the game.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of the first half.

SAVE! Big save from Mignolet as he tips a dipping effort from Schneiderlin over the crossbar. It was a decent 25-yard effort from the midfielder and was certainly dropping in, so that was a vital stop from the Belgian.

SAVE! Liverpool threaten at the other end as they break quickly. Sterling exchanges passes with Henderson before shifting the ball to his right and drilling a powerful effort towards goal. Forster punches it up rather than out, and the defence is able to nod it behind for a corner.

Mark Clattenburg brings an end to an entertaining first half at Anfield, with hosts Liverpool going into the break with a one-goal lead. Both sides have enjoyed spells in the ascendency in that opening 45 minutes, and the match is nicely set up for an exciting second half. Southampton are very much still in this one.

It was Raheem Sterling who got the goal for the Reds, racing through on goal before coolly slotting the ball past Forster and into the bottom corner. It was a good run from the youngster, but the main credit must go to Jordan Henderson for threading a sensational pass through. The ball came from his weaker foot as well, making it even more impressive.

Aside from the goal, there haven't really been any clear chances for either side. Both goalkeepers have been tested on a couple of occasions, but every shot is one that they would have expected to save anyway. Southampton grew into the half as it went on and will be feeling confident that they can get back into this match in the coming 45 minutes.

Sturridge and Sterling have both threatened with efforts on goal for the Reds, with the latter forcing a decent stop from Forster right on the stroke of half time. The hosts have largely been restricted to long-range efforts, however, as Southampton are keeping the likes of Coutinho, Gerrard and Sturridge relatively quiet.

At the other end, Ward-Prowse has tested Mignolet on a couple of occasions, including one dangerous free-kick that was intended as a cross but almost snuck into the top corner. However, the closest the visitors came was right at the end of the first half as Schneiderlin found space around 25 yards from goal, forcing Mignolet to tip a dipping effort over the top.

There have certainly been encouraging signs for Southampton, but they will be wary of committing too many men forward with Liverpool's counter-attacking capabilities. The next goal will be vital in this tie.

KICKOFF: Southampton get us back underway at Anfield as they look to work their way back level in this match. Can they do it, or will Liverpool hold on to start their campaign with three points?

Coutinho was afforded very little room in the first half, but he spins away from his man and has green grass in front of him here. Both Sterling and Sturridge are on the last shoulder ahead of him, but the Brazilian's pass is too long for either.

Nice play from Ward-Prowse as he battles away in midfield, keeping hold of the ball despite being surrounded by red shirts before finding Tadic. The attack soon breaks down, but that was more good play from Ward-Prowse.

Tadic has struggled for Southampton on his debut today. He has had plenty of opportunities to deliver the ball into the box but has failed to really make the most of them on many occasions.

SHOT! Liverpool play it forward from the back again as Lovren finds Coutinho, who slides a square ball to Sterling. The winger cuts onto his right foot once again before blasting a powerful effort towards the top corner, but it goes a couple of yards high and wide.

Another poor piece of play from Tadic as he advances into the box with options either side. He seems caught in two minds and eventually is tackled by Skrtel, with the ball breaking to Wanyama, who drills an effort well wide.

What was I saying about Tadic? After an afternoon in which he has struggled to make an impact, he produces a lovely flick to send Clyne through on goal inside the box. The defender lashes an effort first time into the near top corner, giving Mignolet no chance due to the sheer power of the strike. It's all square at Anfield!

Liverpool can't say that they didn't have warning signs. They had allowed the visitors back into the match since their opening goal and, although that was Southampton's first real chance, you felt that a goal might be on its way. This would be a huge and unexpected point for Southampton if they can hold out.

Southampton could even be eyeing more than just a solitary point here. They are in the ascendency at the moment and are building in confidence with every minute. I wonder whether it will be long before we see Rickie Lambert for the hosts.

A hint of a penalty appeal for the hosts as Henderson flicks the ball over for Coutinho to run on to. The Brazilian cuts inside before being brought down by Fonte. The Southampton man looked to have got a foot on the ball, though, so that is the right call from Clattenburg to wave the claims away. He was perfectly placed and having none of it.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Southampton to take the lead! Tadic slips the ball in to Ward-Prowse, who unselfishly moves it on once more to Davis. The midfielder should probably put his foot through it, as Clyne did for his goal, but instead tries to side-foot it past Mignolet, who gets down well to make the save. What a chance that was, he simply had to score.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The hosts make the first change of the afternoon as Joe Allen replaces Lucas Leiva.

YELLOW CARD! Schneiderlin becomes the second name in the book, and he can have no complaints. He brought Coutinho down from behind after the ball had gone, and those will be yellows all day long.

This one is very nicely set up for the final 25 minutes or so. Both teams are looking for a winner and more space is starting to open up. You'd think that the space would suit Liverpool more, but Southampton are looking more likely now.

CHANCE! Clyne almost sneaks in for another! It is a lovely reverse pass that releases the defender in an almost identical situation, but this time some desperate defending saves the day for the hosts. That was nervy stuff from Liverpool, who are on the back foot right now.

This has been such a promising performance for Southampton so far. They cannot have gone into this match with much hope after the summer they have endured, but they have played with plenty of spirit and still look to have the quality for a top-half finish. Of course, it is very early days, but Southampton fans will be happy.

Liverpool produce a lovely move - the best of the match - but it is redundant as Sturridge has drifted into an offside position. The England striker has not had much of an impact today.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Off goes one debutant, and on comes another. Tadic, who set up the goal, is replaced by Shane Long, who joined for big money earlier this week.

SHOT! Better from Liverpool as they work the ball inside from the left, eventually creating space for Henderson to shoot. He seems to rush his effort, however, dragging a low, tame shot wide of the mark.

LIVERPOOL SUB: A significant change here as Rickie Lambert, who joined from Southampton this summer, comes on for his Liverpool debut. He replaces Coutinho and gets a much better reception than Lovren did.

YELLOW CARD! Steven Davis is the latest name in the book for a foul in a very dangerous position. Gerrard is standing over this free kick...

Gerrard whips a peach of a delivery into the middle but it is just too far in front of Skrtel and Lovren, who had both lose their markers. Any touch there and it would have been a goal, but as it is Forster collects comfortably.

Liverpool are back in the lead! It isn't the prettiest goal they have scored this season, but it could well be enough to claim all three points. A bit of head tennis in the box ends with Sterling - of all people - climbing highest to nod the ball into the path of Sturridge, who just stays onside to get the slightest of touches and turn it into the bottom corner.

Sterling and Sturridge both knew that they would need to step up if they were to replace Suarez in this team, and so far they have done that. It is a goal and an assist for Sterling and a goal for Sturridge, despite him not being at his best.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Koeman is putting his faith in youth at this stage, bringing on Lloyd Isgrove for Davis, who missed that glorious chance earlier in the match.

Southampton have once again responded well to going behind and are starting to increase the pressure on Liverpool. There were big questions over the Reds' backline last season and they are likely to come under their first major piece of pressure this campaign in the coming minutes. Can they hold out?

SAVE! Good effort from Ward-Prowse as he gets on the end of Long's knock down. He hits a first-time volley low towards the near post from a tight angle, but Mignolet has his angles right and makes the stop.

OFF THE BAR! Oh my word, how has this one not gone in?! Clyne delivers a ball into the box that is initially cleared, but quickly put back into the middle. Pelle knocks it down for Schneiderlin, who absolutely hammers a half-volley towards goal from close range. Mignolet makes a sensational stop to tip it onto the underside of the bar, however, while Long nods the rebound wide when he should have done better. That Liverpool goal is living a charmed life right now!

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match. Can Liverpool hold out?

Southampton have had 77% possession since Liverpool scored their second goal, but so far they have no found a way through. Liverpool are very much in defensive mode right now and are making very little attempt to get out and attack.

As I say that, Liverpool break free but seem in two minds whether to go for the corner or not. They opt instead to go for goal before losing the ball, and it seems that they have learned their lesson as they quickly switch tactics to time wasting when they regain possession.

The referee brings an end to the match and it is Liverpool who have made the winning start, but only just. They were forced to really cling onto their lead in the closing stages there as Southampton battled back from Sturridge's strike, but Rodgers will be delighted that his side have managed to do that and pick up all three points.

The hosts took the lead in the first half courtesy of a cool Sterling finish having been picked out by a fine Henderson pass. Southampton responded after the break, however, levelling things through Clyne's emphatic finish after a lovely flick from Tadic. The Reds would not be denied, however, as Sturridge rescued all three points for his side with a smart finish from close range after Sterling had won a header inside the box.

Southampton came within inches of getting a second equaliser in the closing stages, however, as Schneiderlin hammered a half-volley towards goal from close range. Mignolet was able to make a superb stop to tip it into the underside of the bar, however, while Long missed from the rebound.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining match as Liverpool begin their campaign with three points against a Southampton side that could have got something out of the game. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!