Liverpool clashed heads with Southampton earlier tonight looking to go back to the top of the Premier League standings with a win at the St. Mary’s Stadium. The Reds began the match a bit sloppy and got punished in the 9th minute when Shane Long scored from close range. The Saints kept creating a few chances of their own but couldn’t double their lead.
Jurgen Klopp’s men found a way back into the game courtesy of Naby Keita’s powerful header in the 36th minute. Both teams fought tooth and nail but went into the half-time break with nothing to split them.
The visitors came back strong in the second half and turned the match on its head in the 80th minute when Mohamed Salah scored a fantastic breakaway goal. Jordan Henderson put the icing on the cake for Liverpool just six minutes later when he tapped in the ball from close range to win the game for the Reds with a 3-1 scoreline.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Saints.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7/10
The Brazilian keeper couldn’t do much about the Saints goal. However, he was calm and composed at the back and was superb with his distribution.
RB: Trent-Alexander Arnold – 7/10
The English youngster put in an inviting ball in the lead up to Keita’s goal in the first half. However, he looked a bit exposed defensively which is probably why Klopp decided to sub him in the second half.
CB: Joel Matip – 7/10
The Cameroonian got caught out in the lead up to Long’s goal. However, he came back strong and put in a solid shift for the remainder of the contest.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 8/10
The Dutch centre-back organised his backline well and managed to restrict the Southampton attackers from scoring in the second half.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
It was another strong shift from the Scottish full-back who has been Liverpool’s most consistent player this season.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 5/10
An off-day from the Dutch midfielder. He gave away the ball too many times in the first half and got subbed late in the game.
CM: Fabinho – 5.5/10
The Brazilian midfielder looked a bit slow in the first half, but he dominated the midfield in the second half.
CM: Naby Keita – 8/10
It was his best performance in a Liverpool shirt. The Guinean took his time to settle into the game, but he was more decisive with his passes tonight and scored a crucial equaliser in the first half.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 8.5/10
The Egyptian winger worked his socks off and scored a priceless breakaway goal in the 80th minute to win the game for his team. It was a man of the match display from Liverpool’s ‘Egyptian King’.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 7.5/10
The Brazilian forward dropped into the pockets of spaces in midfield and tried his best to link up play in the opposition half. He set-up Henderson with a classy pass to put the contest to bed in the 86th minute.
LM: Sadio Mane – 7/10
The Senegalese wide man was a constant threat down the left flank. He was full of energy and running but was unfortunate not to create an opening for himself during the game.
Substitutes:
CM: James Milner – 7/10
The English veteran brought some composure into Liverpool’s play as he helped his team retain possession and helped set up a strong platform to go on and snatch a win.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 8/10
It was a captain’s cameo from Henderson. His desire to get into the Saints box to make the points secure for his team was quite admirable.
CB: Dejan Lovren – N/A
The Croat came on in the dying embers of the contest to see out the victory for the Reds.
