In a low-key first half at Anfield Florent Sinama-Pongolle broke the deadlock just before the break to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead over Southampton. Pongolle latched onto a perfect through pass from Xabi Alonso and coolly finished past Anti Niemi.
The only other incident of note to report during a disappointing opening 45 minutes was an injury sustained by Steve Finnan shortly before the half-hour mark after he was fouled by Neil McCann.