Mounting a dramatic second-half comeback at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool claimed an exciting 3-2 victory in opposition to Southampton.
Taking a deserved lead on the half hour mark as Dominik Szoboszlai pounced on Flynn Downes’ lose move because the Hungarian worldwide produced a cultured end, it appeared Arne Slot’s facet had been set for a routine afternoon on the south coast.
Nonetheless, watching Adam Armstrong faucet residence following his missed spot-kick simply moments earlier than the half-time break, Southampton got here flying out of the traps following the restart.
Watching Matheus Fernandes end off a slick transfer simply 11 minutes after the break, it appeared {that a} main upset might have been on the playing cards.
Nonetheless, with the temper in Slot’s camp at a red-hit excessive, Liverpool mounted a sensational comeback as Mohamed Salah stole all the headlines at St. Mary’s.
With Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy gifting Salah an equaliser after 65 minutes when he was caught badly out of place attempting to gather Ryan Gravenberch’s lengthy ball, there was one ultimate twist in Sunday’s showdown.
With the Egyptian record-breaker changing from the penalty spot within the ultimate minuets, Slot’s high-flying squad prolonged their buffer on the high of the desk to eight factors.
In a battle between two sides who discover themselves scrapping it out at reverse ends of the desk, we’ve taken a have a look at the important thing speaking factors.
Liverpool prolong on their title cost
Though many round Anfield might need been left heartbroken over the summer time as Jurgen Klopp bid farewell following his nine-year stint in cost, the Reds have launched into a sensational rise following Slot’s arrival.
Solely persevering with to obtain a string of plaudits from throughout the globe, the previous Feyenoord boss couldn’t have dreamed of a greater begin to life within the purple half of Merseyside.
Firing on all cylinders and with the temper round Anfield at a red-hot excessive, Liverpool have now misplaced simply one among their first 18 appearances throughout all competitions and they’re abruptly pencilled in because the main title contender.
Mounting a sensational comeback right here and now holding a commanding eight-point buffer over defending champions Manchester Metropolis, Sunday’s friends are driving what has turn out to be a record-breaking wave of momentum.
Actually gaining a fearsome status for his or her free-scoring performances within the ultimate third, the Premier League heavyweights will probably be trying to make one other almighty assertion on Wednesday night time after they welcomed Spanish icons Actual Madrid to city.
Salah steals the present at St. Mary’s
Though Klopp might need ultimately left the purple half of Merseyside over the summer time, Liverpool supporters did handle to maintain maintain of their attacking talisman following main Saudi curiosity.
Nonetheless, with Salah electing to reject a bank-breaking transfer to the Center East, the previous Roma star has cemented his spot because the poster boy of Slot’s new squad and has been a significant a part of Liverpool’s exceptional success up to now this season.
Spearheading the Reds’ dramatic second-half comeback right here, the Egyptian celebrity has now recorded 10 objectives in simply his earlier 13 appearances for membership and nation.
With rising optimism round Anfield that the 32-year-old is inclined to signal a brand new contract extension, Slot has been fast to reward the speedy influence that Salah has over the primary few months.
Already placing 10 Premier League strikes on the board and solely sat behind Erling Haaland within the race for this season’s Golden Boot, Salah will now be trying to lead Liverpool to only a second home crown since 1990.
Extra heartbreak for Southampton
Whereas Southampton might need opened November with a maiden Premier League victory as they snatched a 1-0 win in opposition to Everton, it seems that was only a minor enhance for Sunday’s hosts.
Though the Saints might need secured a Premier League return for this season, Russell Martin’s males have an almighty uphill battle on their palms within the race to maintain maintain of their top-flight standing.
Struggling an actual second-half collapse right here, Southampton nonetheless discover themselves sat rock-bottom of the Premier League desk and are pencilled in as a landslide relegation candidate.
Heading into November’s worldwide break with a 2-0 loss by the hands of fellow strugglers Wolves, the previous Swansea boss actually has mounting strain on his shoulders at St. Mary’s.
Placing simply 4 factors on the board from any of their first 12 Premier League appearances and exhibiting some evident defensive points, Martin’s facet will probably be subsequent seen after they journey to Brighton on Friday night time.
Match Report
Southampton: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis Stephens, Fraser, Downes, Mateus Fernandes, Lallana, Armstrong, Onuachu
Subs: Sugawara, Archer, Aribo, Ugochukwu
Liverpool: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Salah, Nunez
Subs: Mac Allister, Diaz, Endo
Objectives: Southampton: Armstrong (42’), Fernandes (56’) – Liverpool: Szoboszlai (30’), Salah (65’, 83’ P)
Yellow Playing cards: Southampton: Stephens, Armstrong, Lallana – Liverpool: Bradley, Konate, Gakpo, Salah
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Samuel Barrott