Premier League leaders Liverpool opened up an eight-point hole between themselves and second-placed Manchester Metropolis after they got here from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 in a Tremendous Sunday thriller at St Mary’s.
Objectives from Adam Armstrong and Matheus Fernandes had seen Saints cancel out Dominik Szoboszlai’s opener – however Mohamed Salah’s double did the trick for Arne Slot’s facet in moist and windy circumstances on the south coast.
It was virtually the proper begin for Southampton. With seven minutes on the clock, Armstrong chopped inside Ibrahima Konate and went to floor contained in the field. The house followers had been incensed, sure a penalty ought to comply with, however neither referee Sam Barrott nor VAR Michael Oliver agreed.
Liverpool began in lacklustre trend however examined Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – beginning within the Premier League for the primary time in three months – on a handful of events, till they had been gifted the lead.
McCarthy rolled the ball to Fernandes underneath intense stress, Flynn Downes tried and didn’t hook the ball clear, which allowed Szoboszlai to arrow a shot into the top-left nook. It was the seventh error resulting in a objective from Russell Martin’s facet this season – probably the most within the Premier League.
However, simply earlier than the break, Saints received themselves degree. A prolonged VAR assessment confirmed Tyler Dibling was clattered by Andy Robertson simply contained in the field and, although Caoimhin Kelleher saved Armstrong’s preliminary effort, the ahead tucked away the rebound.
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Adam Armstrong put Southampton degree after a doubtful penalty resolution!
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Mateus Fernandes put Southampton forward in opposition to Liverpool
Earlier than the hour mark, the comeback was full. Dibling received the ball in a decent area close to the midway line and lifted a marvellous move into the trail of Armstrong. He held the ball up, turned and squared for Fernandes to sure in and sweep dwelling.
Then the momentum swung once more. Ryan Gravenberch hoisted the ball ahead for Salah, whose nonchalant end caught McCarthy – who had been prompted to return racing off his line – chilly, with the ball trickling previous him and into the unguarded web.
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Mohamed Salah made it 2-2 for Liverpool in opposition to Southampton – however the place was Alex McCarthy going?
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Salah converts from spot to place Liverpool again within the lead
And there was no manner again for the hosts as soon as Salah rattled a penalty previous McCarthy after Yukinari Sugawara had dealt with when misreading a cross to the again put up, which confirmed the groups would keep of their respective positions on the high and backside of the Premier League desk.
Ought to Lallana have seen crimson?
Previous to his substitution, Southampton’s Adam Lallana was booked for a foul on Gravenberch.
“He’s not in control, he’s not even looking at the ball,” stated Sky Sports activities‘ Roy Keane.
“They’ve looked at the character of the player, he’s not really a nasty type. Southampton have got away with one there. The more I look at it the worse it gets.”
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Roy Keane was adamant Adam Lallana ought to have been despatched off for a foul on Ryan Gravenberch, however Lallana escaped with a yellow card
Evaluation: Liverpool cement ‘title favourites’ tag
Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:
Slot has received 10 of his 12 Premier League video games answerable for Liverpool, the joint-fastest any supervisor has reached double figures for wins within the competitors. And all of the indicators, after one other measure of his facet’s capability to beat adversity, stay rosy.
Errors had been made, however the scoreline solely ever briefly compromised. Liverpool look imperious, led by the magnificence of Salah, and have now opened up an eight-point hole on the high.
It’s onerous to see Manchester Metropolis, 4-0 losers to Spurs this weekend, difficult at this second in time, whereas slip-ups have additionally been made by Arsenal in latest weeks. Liverpool hold successful.
The Slot steam practice is rolling on at an alarming tempo, and now they have to think about themselves favourites for the title. After all, such sentiment won’t be whispered exterior the partitions of their Kirkby coaching base, liable to inviting complacency, however we’re all considering the identical factor.
Apparently Slot “doesn’t do romanticism, he does wins”. Preserve going at this fee and Liverpool will probably be in line to win the most important prize of all of them.
Slot: Liverpool not getting carried away regardless of wholesome lead
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot:
“Of course, we are really happy, especially because, after an hour, we were 2-1 down. Maybe that wasn’t a reflection of how the first hour went because we dominated the whole game, which is not that easy. I’ve seen many games where Southampton dominated the game.
“Ultimately, in the event you’re 2-1 down after an hour, you might be possibly over the moon in the event you win 3-2.
“We always know we can trust him [Salah] if things are difficult for us. After we went 2-1 down, I didn’t really feel that was the moment we should score then, after a fantastic pass from Ryan Gravenberch, the timing of the run and the way Mo finished it was special and that really helped us back into the game.
“Final season, it was even in a while within the season Arsenal led by eight factors and Man Metropolis got here again so you realize Arsenal, Chelsea, Metropolis and all the opposite groups are in a position to win so many video games in a row. It is good to have this place, however we’re undoubtedly not getting carried away.”
