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.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah scored twice for the Reds / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
*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.
Will Smallbone
Will Smallbone was on target for the Saints / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
*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.
Player of the match - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP
Related Topics