Liverpool vs Southampton player ratings: Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, James Ward-Prowse - who was the star man at Anfield?

Liverpool 2 Southampton 1

Liverpool began their latest Premier League title tilt with a hard fought 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield.

Raheem Sterling opened the scoring with a neat finish after latching on to Jordan Henderson's brilliant curled through-ball after 23 minutes.

Despite seeing most of their best players leave this summer - with three of them heading to Anfield - Southampton were a threat throughout and Nathaniel Clyne brought Saints level with a thunderous strike after 56 minutes.

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With the game looking set to end level, Rickie Lambert was introduced for the home side and the number of crosses increased. But it was Daniel Sturridge who got on the end of one of the balls and put the Reds back in the lead after 79 minutes.

But who was the man of the match? Click through the gallery below...

Liverpool take on champions Manchester City next Monday, while Southampton face West Brom at home on Saturday.