Reds come from behind to go 16 factors clear

Liverpool staged a second-half comeback to safe a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Anfield.

The guests took a shock lead simply earlier than half-time via Will Smallbone, however a three-minute burst early within the second half turned the sport within the Reds’ favour.

Targets from Nunez and Mohamed Salah, the latter scoring twice from the penalty spot, ensured Arne Slot’s facet collected all three factors and moved 16 clear on the prime.

Southampton arrived at Anfield as extreme underdogs, and Liverpool dominated possession from the outset.

Curtis Jones had an early probability however dragged his shot extensive, whereas Nunez additionally examined Aaron Ramsdale with a tame effort from distance.

In first-half stoppage time, Southampton capitalised on a defensive lapse.

A fast throw-in from Ryan Manning caught Liverpool’s backline off guard, with Smallbone pouncing on a miscommunication between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk to fit house from shut vary.

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Slot’s group wanted a response after the break, and it got here swiftly. Six minutes into the second half, Luis Diaz produced a second of brilliance, easing previous Kyle Walker-Peters earlier than chopping the ball again for Nunez, who transformed a easy tap-in to equalise.

Simply three minutes later, Liverpool accomplished the turnaround when Smallbone fouled Nunez within the penalty space. Salah stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick previous Ramsdale to offer the hosts the lead.

Southampton, struggling to discover a approach again into the sport, didn’t create clear-cut alternatives.

Their finest probability after conceding got here within the seventieth minute when substitute Cameron Archer drove into the Liverpool field and compelled a save from Alisson.

Because the match entered added time, Liverpool had been handed one other penalty after VAR intervened to assessment Yukinari Sugawara’s handball underneath strain from Diaz.

Salah stepped up once more and rifled his effort into the highest nook, sealing the victory and taking his season tally to 27 objectives.

Liverpool’s dominant show was mirrored within the statistics, registering an xG of 4.07 in comparison with Southampton’s 0.31.

The win ensures the Reds stay in rivalry throughout a number of competitions, with a vital Champions League second leg in opposition to PSG on the horizon, adopted by the League Cup remaining in opposition to Newcastle United.

Southampton, in the meantime, proceed their battle to keep away from relegation, regardless of the chances being stacked in opposition to them.