Liverpool mount comeback towards Southampton to increase lead by 16 factors

Mohamed Salah scored two penalties as Liverpool got here from behind to beat rock-bottom Southampton for the second time this season and transfer 16 factors clear on the high of the Premier League.

The Reds had been miles under their greatest after their energy-draining late win at Paris St-Germain on Wednesday – however all that issues at this stage of the season is outcomes.

This takes them one step nearer to the title and leaves Saints nonetheless in peril of the bottom Premier League factors complete ever.

The guests allowed themselves to dream when Will Smallbone took benefit of an enormous mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to fit in from a good angle.

But Reds boss Arne Slot made a triple substitution at half-time and Liverpool had been a lot improved.

Darwin Nunez, maybe lucky to not be one of many ones changed on the break, slotted in from Luis Diaz’s cutback.

And then the Uruguayan striker was fouled by Smallbone for a penalty, which Mohamed Salah predictably dispatched with model.

Liverpool followers began singing “Now you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the league” after that.

Salah additionally netted one other spot-kick late on, for his twenty seventh aim of the season, after the video assistant referee noticed a Yukinari Sugawara handball.

Second-placed Arsenal have two video games in hand – together with Sunday’s match with Manchester United – however it’s inconceivable to see anybody overhauling Liverpool.

Both sides made six substitutes as Southampton misplaced captain Jan Bednarek to an early head harm – with soccer legal guidelines allowed the opposing staff to additionally make an additional substitution throughout the sport.

One win nearer to the title

On paper, this regarded like the obvious dwelling win ever.

There had been 58 factors between the edges coming into this sport, the most important hole between groups since Liverpool beat Aston Villa in July 2020.

And Liverpool – with Slot within the stands due to a touchline ban – began brightly with Curtis Jones having an early shot blocked after which taking pictures broad.

That matched their complete shot rely within the 1-0 smash-and-grab win in Paris in midweek.

But maybe the power expended in that sport was taking its toll right here.

Southampton created a number of possibilities earlier than grabbing the lead following a massively uncharacteristic mix-up between two of their stars.

Van Dijk tried to carry off Smallbone to let the ball run to Alisson, however the keeper didn’t come out rapidly sufficient and moments later the Saints midfielder was scoring.

But Liverpool improved within the second half after making their substitutions – with Slot allowed within the dressing room on the break – together with the introduction of Harvey Elliott.

The midfielder scored along with his first contact at PSG and nearly did so once more however was denied by Aaron Ramsdale.

But the Reds had a very good grip on the sport by then with Uruguay striker Nunez – who might have been despatched off within the first half for a foul foul on Kyle Walker-Peters – scoring after good play by Diaz after which profitable the penalty for Salah’s winner.

Salah had a shot saved and Elliott fired broad as they tried so as to add a game-clinching third, which finally got here within the type of one other penalty by Liverpool’s Egyptian icon.

This is the champions elect’s solely Premier League sport in March.

Now they deal with the second leg of their Champions League tie towards PSG on Tuesday and Sunday’s Carabao Cup remaining with Newcastle as they bid for 3 trophies.

More distress for Southampton

Southampton nonetheless stay two factors behind the bottom tally ever recorded in Premier League historical past – Derby’s notorious 2007-08 marketing campaign during which they ended on 11 factors.

The Saints have led Liverpool twice this season – they had been 2-1 up at St Mary’s earlier than dropping 3-2 earlier within the marketing campaign.

They have had different close to misses too, together with at Old Trafford when Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scored three targets after the eightieth minute.

Ivan Juric’s aspect, at half-time right here, regarded in with an opportunity of turning into solely the fifth staff backside of the desk to ever beat the staff high on the time within the Premier League.

But sadly for his or her followers, they conceded twice in three minutes early within the second half and, whereas they did preserve having a go, they hardly ever regarded like equalising earlier than Salah made the win protected.