Mohamed Salah bagged a brace as Liverpool secured a massive come-from-behind victory to beat Southampton 3-2 on Sunday and move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai’s curler after a mistake from the Saints but Adam Armstrong drew the home side level before half-time. He scored a rebound after Caoimhin Kelleher had saved his initial penalty.
Poor defending against a Southampton counter-attack allowed Mateus Fernandes to make it 2-1 on 56 minutes. But Mohamed Salah was the man to count on again as he profited from an Alex McCarthy mistake to pull the Reds level.
And after Yukinari Sugawara handballed inside his own box, Salah smashed in a fine penalty to deliver a vital three points that fuels Liverpool’s hopes they can win the Premier League title this season.
Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players after their win…
Liverpool player ratings vs Southampton
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
Yet again dependable. Produced a good save from Flynn Downes in the first half and stopped Armstrong’s penalty but was unfortunate the rebound fell the striker’s way.
Conor Bradley – 6
Displayed some good link-up with Salah on the overlap. Guilty of poor defending for the Mateus Fernandes goal, however, in which he and his team-mates got caught ball-watching. Largely solid in the tackle. Booked.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Survived an early penalty shout but was lacklustre in a first half in which he gave the ball away cheaply on several occasions. Was booked for a clumsy foul on Paul Onuachu who he had a tough battle with. Better second half.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Lost the ball needlessly in the lead-up to the Southampton penalty but improved in the second half when helping Liverpool pile the pressure on. Won the ball unusually high up the pitch in a couple of moments.
Andy Robertson – 5
Got forward regularly but his deliveries were too often disappointing. Fouled Tyler Dibbling for the penalty although the foul looked like it was outside the box. Switched off at the back post for a late chance and was fortunate Konate dealt with Sugawara.
Curtis Jones – 7
Pressed well for the opening goal to force Southampton to give up possession and completed every single one of his 56 passes though not as much of a creative influence compared to previous outings. Subbed off early.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
Good on the ball but occasionally poor off it against the Southampton counter-attack. It was his ball that created the confusion for Salah’s equaliser but he missed a good chance to make it 3-2. Was often the man playing the first pass that led to a Liverpool chance.
Mohamed Salah – 8
Had three shots in the first half but was otherwise kept quiet by the home team. It looked the same story second half until he made the most of McCarthy’s mistake and scored the penalty to win the game. Was only denied his hat-trick by the inside of the post. Booked for taking his shirt off.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Pressed brilliantly throughout and applied a fine curling finish for the opening goal. Put Salah through on goal to make it 4-2 but the Egyptian curled over the bar. Should’ve done better in the challenge after Dibling for the goal that made it 2-1 Southampton but still better than some of his recent games.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Some good crosses first half including one great ball for an early Salah chance but the quality of those deliveries waned second half. Perhaps unfortunate to be hooked. Booked.
Darwin Nunez – 5
Barely involved first half aside from an off-ball tussle with Jack Stephens. Livened up second half and nearly had an assist with a low cross for Luis Diaz but too often his passes were slightly astray or his positioning wasn’t quite right, as evidenced by one late counter when he ran offside.
Substitutes
Luis Diaz – 7
Should’ve made it 2-2 within a minute of coming on but completely missed the ball. Forced a great save from McCarthy with a header at a corner and brought energy to the Liverpool attack.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Drilled one just over the crossbar from range and helped Liverpool control the game late on.
Wataru Endo – N/A
Came on to see out the game.
