Mohamed Salah scored two penalties as Liverpool came from behind to defeat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points. The victory, while ultimately comfortable, masked a below-par first-half performance from the league leaders.
Southampton, fighting to avoid setting a new record for the lowest points total in Premier League history, took a shock lead through Will Smallbone. A mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson allowed Smallbone to slot the ball into an empty net from a tight angle.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, made a triple substitution at halftime, and the changes had an immediate impact. Darwin Nunez, who could have been sent off in the first half for a foul on Kyle Walker-Peters, equalized, finishing from Luis Diaz’s cutback.
Nunez then won a penalty after being fouled by Smallbone, which Salah confidently converted. Salah added a second penalty late in the game, his 27th goal of the season, after a VAR review spotted a handball by Yukinari Sugawara.
The win moves Liverpool closer to a 20th English league title, although second-placed Arsenal have two games in hand, including a match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Liverpool Overcome Slow Start
The match began with a 58 point gap between the teams. Liverpool started brightly, with Curtis Jones having an early shot blocked and then shooting wide. However, their midweek Champions League exertions against Paris St-Germain appeared to take a toll, as they struggled to maintain their early intensity.
Southampton created several chances before taking the lead through Smallbone’s opportunistic strike.
Slot’s halftime substitutions, including the introduction of Harvey Elliott, revitalized Liverpool. Elliott almost scored with his first touch, forcing a save from Aaron Ramsdale.
Nunez’s equalizer and subsequent winning of the penalty, along with Salah’s clinical finishing, ultimately secured the three points. Salah also had a late shot saved.
Liverpool’s only Premier League game in March. Their immediate focus now shifts to the second leg of their Champions League tie against PSG on Tuesday, followed by Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
Southampton’s Misery Continues
Southampton remain rooted to the bottom of the table, still two points shy of Derby County’s record-low Premier League points total of 11 (set in 2007-08).
The Saints have now led Liverpool twice this season, having been 2-1 up at St Mary’s before losing 3-2 earlier in the campaign. They also endured a late collapse at Old Trafford, where Manchester United scored three goals after the 80th minute.
Despite taking an early lead and competing well in the first half, Southampton were ultimately undone by Liverpool’s second-half resurgence. They made six substitution. Captain Jan Bednarek sustained an early head injury.
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