Liverpool escapes with narrow win over Southampton

Liverpool faced a scare against Premier League bottom-dwellers Southampton but ultimately secured a 3-2 victory on Sunday, further extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points. A late penalty from Mohamed Salah sealed the win, as Liverpool took full advantage of Manchester City’s ongoing struggles, with City suffering a 0-4 defeat to Tottenham the previous evening.

Early advantage turns into a struggle

Liverpool began the match cautiously, creating a few minor chances but lacking their usual intensity. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute thanks to a Southampton error. Dominik Szoboszlai capitalized on a misplaced pass near the box, curling a precise shot past Alex McCarthy to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

Despite their lead, Liverpool’s composure faltered late in the first half. A rare mistake from Virgil van Dijk, who lost possession while dribbling near midfield, allowed Tyler Dibling to surge forward. Andy Robertson brought Dibling down in the penalty area, resulting in Southampton’s first penalty against Liverpool this calendar year. While Caoimhin Kelleher saved Adam Armstrong’s initial attempt, the striker converted the rebound, leveling the score at 1-1 just before halftime.

Southampton surprises after the break

Southampton, the league’s lowest-scoring team, shocked Liverpool early in the second half. A swift counter-attack led to Mateus Fernandes firing past Kelleher, putting the home side ahead 2-1 and highlighting Liverpool’s vulnerabilities after the international break.

Liverpool fights back

Liverpool’s resilience under Arne Slot once again came to the forefront. In the 65th minute, Ryan Gravenberch found Mohamed Salah with a perfectly weighted pass. Salah capitalized on a misjudgment from McCarthy to slot the ball into the net, leveling the match at 2-2. The pressure mounted on Southampton as Liverpool pushed relentlessly for a winner. In the 82nd minute, substitute Yukinari Sugawara handled the ball inside the box, giving Liverpool a penalty. Salah stepped up and calmly converted, marking his tenth goal of the season and securing Liverpool’s tenth league win. His exuberant celebration, which included removing his shirt, earned him a yellow card—his ninth in the league, with five resulting from similar celebrations.

A crucial lead before a pivotal week

The victory gave Liverpool an eight-point cushion over Manchester City, who are enduring a form crisis with five consecutive winless matches. Next week, Liverpool and City face off at Anfield in a high-stakes clash. But before that, both teams turn their focus to the Champions League, with Liverpool hosting Real Madrid and City playing Feyenoord midweek. “We’re in a great position, but we’ve won nothing yet,” captain Virgil van Dijk said post-match. Reflecting on the match, he acknowledged Liverpool’s struggles early on but praised the team’s second-half aggression. “It’s all about the points at this stage,” he added. The win puts Liverpool in a commanding position as they navigate a challenging stretch of fixtures, with momentum firmly on their side.