Mohamed Salah’s brace catapulted Liverpool eight points clear at the Premier League summit after coming from a goal down to beat Southampton 3-2.
The Saints came into the game rooted to the bottom of the league with just a single win to their name this campaign.
Despite Arne Slot’s side looking far from their most potent following the international break they were handed a 30th minute opener.
Conor Bradley saw his initial effort saved but the Saints failed to clear their lines and some awful defending resulted in Dominik Szoboszlai capitalising to fire home the opener.
However, the Saints were back in the game before the break when Andrew Robertson brought down Tyler Dibling and Adam Armstrong netted, despite seeing his initial penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Southampton were then dreaming of a shock victory when Mateus Fernandes fired them into a 56th minute lead.
However, Liverpool were once again saved by Salah who fired home a 65th minute equaliser and then completed the fightback by netting the winning penalty.
Talking Point – Liverpool far from convincing but eight points clear
Slot’s side are in the perfect position heading into a busy Christmas period. Liverpool are now eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City and full of confidence heading into a crunch tie against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Salah’s double, which secured victory against Southampton, summed up the feeling at Anfield at the moment. Everything keeps going right for Slot and the forecasted hiccup in the road has yet to come.
Player of the Match – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Liverpool fans will be praying that their talisman signs a renewed contract at Anfield in the coming months.
The Egypt international once again rescued his side from an unlikely position against their basement opposition. Perfectly reading Ryan Gravenberch’s long cross to prod home the equaliser.
There was then no doubt when Salah stepped up to the penalty spot to net the winner.
Liverpool working ‘feverishly’ to secure Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk to new deals – Moore
Video credit: SNTV
Player Ratings
Southampton: McCarthy 6, Walker-Peters 6, Harwood-Bellis 6, Stephens 6, Fraser 6, Dibling 7, Downes 6, Lallana 6, Fernandes 7, Onuachu 7, Armstrong 7. Subs: Archer 6, Aribo 6, Sugawara 6, Ugochukwu 6.
Liverpool: Kelleher 7, Bradley 7, Konate 6, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7, Jones 6, Gravenberch 6, Salah 8*, Szoboszlai 7, Gakpo 7, Nunez 7. Subs: Endo 6, Diaz 6, Mac Allister 7
Match Highlights
30’ – GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 0 LIVERPOOL 1 (SZOBOSZLAI): Bradley has an initial effort saved by McCarthy. Southampton try to play the ball out from the back, but a series of defensive errors results in Szoboszlai being handed the ball to fire home.
42’ – GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1 (ARMSTRONG) LIVERPOOL 1: The Saints are level from the penalty spot. Kelleher saves a poor penalty from Armstrong. However, the ball rebounds back to the marksman who scores. The penalty was awarded against Robertson after bringing down Dibling judged to be just inside the box.
56’ – GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 2 (FERNANDES) LIVERPOOL 1: Dibling breaks the Liverpool defence running onto a long ball before turning and squaring the ball into the path of Fernandes to net.
65’ – GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 2 LIVERPOOL 2 (SALAH): A long ball which is perfectly weighted by Gravenberch is right on the boot of Salah who prods it past the oncoming goalkeeper to equalise.
83’ – GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 2 LIVERPOOL 3 (SALAH): Salah rifles his effort high into the net to complete the fightback giving the goalkeeper no chance from the penalty spot. The penalty came from a Sugawara handball.
Key Stats
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