Southampton recorded a goalless draw against high-flying Liverpool at St Mary’s on Saturday, and they certainly would have considered themselves fortunate not to lose their third successive Premier League encounter.

The visitors had 15 efforts at goal compared to just three for the hosts, and a number of defensive actions – as well as some questionable finishing from Jurgen Klopp’s men – meant that the south coast outfit picked up a clean sheet and a valuable point on the south coast.

Claude Puel’s side are solid at the back – only Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have let in fewer goals – but they are struggling in attack and despite bringing in the likes of Nathan Redmond and Sofiane Boufal during the summer, Saints have so far failed to find that spark upfront this season that someone like Sadio Mane provided them with last term.

Here are three reasons why Puel must strengthen his attacking options in January following the scoreless game against the Reds…

Shots at goal

While they may have had 34 attempts on goal against Burnley at St Mary’s last month, Southampton struggled to replicate those stats against the league leaders on Saturday.

Claude Puel’s side produced three efforts at Liverpool’s goal all afternoon, with none of those being on target – the first time they had failed to register a shot on goal in the Premier League since December 2004.

With only 12 goals scored from their 12 top flight matches this term, the Frenchman will surely be looking at strengthening his attacking options during the January transfer window.

They failed to test the Liverpool defence

While they may have been top of the Premier League table going into the clash at St Mary’s, the free-scoring Reds had still appeared a little shaky at the back and this was only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Puel stated before the game that his side would go on the attack but they struggled in that respect, with the likes of Nathan Redmond and record signing Sofiane Boufal failing to shine against a defence that had previously shown that they are there to be tested.

They struggle without Dusan Tadic

The relatively toothless attacking display against Jurgen Klopp’s men showed just how influential the absent Tadic is in this Southampton side.

The Serbian – who was missing with a broken nose – has created 31 chances for Saints in the Premier League this term, and Claude Puel and his side certainly missed that playmaking ability on Saturday, with record signing Boufal still adapting to the English game and Nathan Redmond failing to support an isolated Charlie Austin up top.