Liverpool entertained Southampton at Anfield earlier tonight as they looked to earn all three points at home and boost their chances of securing UEFA Champions League football for next season. The Reds made a good start to the game and got themselves ahead in the 31st minute courtesy of Sadio Mane’s header from point-blank range. The Merseyside giants kept hold of their narrow advantage and went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had a few nervy moments in the second half but finally managed to make the points secure in the 90th minute when Thiago Alcantara scored with a classy strike from long range. The contest ended with Liverpool earning a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Merseyside.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the match against the Saints.
GK: Alisson Becker – 8/10
The Brazilian keeper came to his team’s rescue several times during the game and made some world-class saves to restrict the Saints from scoring during the 90 minutes. A well-deserved clean sheet for him tonight.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English full-back kept a good shape at the back and didn’t let the opposition get the better of him out on the wide areas. Offensively, he delivered some inviting crosses into the penalty box.
CB: Nathaniel Phillips – 7.5/10
Phillips was a strong presence in the air and did well to read the danger quickly that helped him to clear his lines when needed.
CB: Rhys Williams – 7/10
Williams supported his centre-back partner quite well even though he was caught out of position a few times during the game.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
The Scottish full-back gave a good account of himself on the defensive end of the field. However, he struggled to whip in a quality cross from the left flank.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 7/10
The Spaniard faded in and out of the game but never gave up fighting. He produced a moment of quality late in the game as he found the back of the Southampton net with a great strike from outside the penalty box.
CM: Fabinho – 7/10
The Brazilian international disrupted the opposition’s rhythm in the game and was involved in the move that led to Mane scoring the opener for Liverpool.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 7/10
The Dutch midfield ace kept the ball moving relatively well and worked his socks off at the centre of the park. However, there was still no goal or assist for him tonight.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 7/10
The Egyptian wide player squandered some glorious opportunities to score during his time on the field. However, he delivered an inch-perfect cross to Sadio Mane, who scored the opener with a well-directed header.
ST: Diogo Jota – 6.5/10
The Portuguese striker was always willing to get himself involved in the final third. But he was guilty of not being clinical in the final third. Jota ran out of gas and got substituted in the second half.
LW: Sadio Mane – 7.5/10
The Senegalese winger showed some glimpses of his old form tonight. He was a constant nuisance for the Saints defenders and scored the all-important opening goal with a great header.
Substitutes:
ST: Roberto Firmino – 7/10
The Brazilian striker set up Thiago Alcantara’s goal with a good pass.
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – N/A
He hardly had any time to make an impact.
CM: Curtis Jones – N/A
The youngster came off the bench to run the clock down.
