3-1, three points, two more goals for Mo Salah and a 16-point lead at the top. Yet, the exertions of Paris had clearly taken a toll on much of the Liverpool team and Southampton led at the interval.
Anyone who thought this game would be a stroll in the Anfield sunshine watched a laboured and leg-weary Liverpool toil against relegation-bound Southampton. Of course, Arne Slot’s men dominated the ball and there were early chances, with Curtis Jones having his shot blocked. The Saints though, grew into the game, they looked more than capable of taking one of their opportunities given the chance, and a mix up between Alisson Becker and Virgil van Djik presented them with a goal. A breakdown in communication when attempting to shepherd the ball out of danger led to Smallbone priding it across the line in front of a clearly bewildered Kop.
Changes were clearly needed, and Slot didn’t hesitate at half-time, Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai making way for Harvey Elliot and Alexis Mac Allister, whilst Andy Robertson replaced Kostas Tsimikas. It worked. Liverpool upped the tempo, and Darwin Nunez brought his team level just five minutes after the re-start. Luis Diaz, at last choosing to run his defender to the by-line, before pulling it back into the penalty box for the much-maligned Uruguayan. Within minutes it was 2-1 as Salah smashed home a penalty after Nunez was felled from behind. The ratcheting up of the Anfield atmosphere following the equaliser, undoubtedly playing a part in Southampton’s obvious discomfort, as Liverpool attacked the Kop end. Cries of ‘we’re gonna win the league’ rang out, as the Saints penalty area was under siege.
With the three points looking secure, and Southampton failing to trouble Alisson as the second half wore on, Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah came on. However, there was time for a VAR check to lead to the award of another Liverpool penalty, this time for hand ball. Once again, Salah despatched it with some aplomb and, in the process, drew level with Aguero in the Premier League goal scoring charts on 184. In all probability, he’ll soon surpass Andy Cole, as the Egyptian trails the England striker by just three. With 32 goals in all competitions this season, he’s surely destined to be named Footballer Of The Year.
However, before the individual awards are handed out, there’s the not-so-small matter of avoiding defeat against PSG, to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The third of what Arne Slot described as ‘three cup finals’ comes on March 16th at Wembley. Victory over Newcastle United at ‘Anfield South’, would bring Liverpool their 11th League Cup, and the first of a possible trio of trophies.
