Liverpool moved 16 points clear of title rivals Arsenal as they came from behind to beat last-placed Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League.
The Reds were expected to sweep the struggling Saints aside at Anfield but made life difficult for themselves as they entered the break behind. An almighty mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and midweek hero Alisson gifted Will Smallbone an open goal inside the penalty area, with the midfielder gladly accepting the invitation to give Southampton a shock lead.
But the Reds turned the encounter on its head within ten minutes of the restart. Darwin Nunez – who arguably could have been sent off during the first half for kicking out at Kyle Walker-Peters – dragged Liverpool into the lead, finishing Luis Diaz’s excellent cross before winning a penalty for Mohamed Salah to convert.
Salah scored another spot kick in the dying embers as Liverpool extended their advantage to secure a hugely important victory in their bid to be crowned Premier League champions.
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Alisson |
5.1/10 |
|
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold |
8.1/10 |
|
CB: Ibrahima Konate |
6.8/10 |
|
CB: Virgil van Dijk |
6.3/10 |
|
LB: Kostas Tsimikas |
7.5/10 |
|
DM: Ryan Gravenberch |
7.2/10 |
|
DM: Curtis Jones |
7.2/10 |
|
RW: Mohamed Salah |
9.2/10 |
|
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai |
6.6/10 |
|
LW: Luis Diaz |
8.3/10 |
|
ST: Darwin Nunez |
8.4/10 |
|
SUB: Andy Robertson (46′ for Tsimikas) |
6.2/10 |
|
SUB: Alexis Mac Allister (46′ for Jones) |
6.8/10 |
|
SUB: Harvey Elliott (46′ for Szoboszlai) |
6.8/10 |
|
SUB: Diogo Jota (69′ for Nunez) |
6.1/10 |
|
SUB: Wataru Endo (81′ for Gravenberch) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Federico Chiesa.
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Aaron Rasmdale |
7.2/10 |
|
RB: Kyle Walker-Peters |
7.0/10 |
|
CB: Jan Bednarek |
6.8/10 |
|
CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis |
7.4/10 |
|
LB: Ryan Manning |
7.6/10 |
|
RM: Tyler Dibling |
7.0/10 |
|
CM: Lesley Ugochukwu |
6.8/10 |
|
CM: Will Smallbone |
7.5/10 |
|
LM: Kamaldeen Sulemana |
6.6/10 |
|
ST: Mateus Fernandes |
7.2/10 |
|
ST: Albert Gronbaek |
6.2/10 |
|
SUB: Armel Bella-Kotchap (19′ for Bednarek) |
6.5/10 |
|
SUB: Yukinari Sugawara (63′ for Dibling) |
5.7/10 |
|
SUB: Cameron Archer (63′ for Gronbaek) |
6.0/10 |
|
SUB: Adam Lallana (73′ for Smallbone) |
6.2/10 |
|
SUB: Joe Aribo (83′ for Ugochukwu) |
N/A |
|
SUB: Paul Onuachu (83′ for Manning) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Alex McCarthy (GK), Jack Stephens, Welington.
