Southampton 2-3 Liverpool: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Reds Extend Their Buffer At The Top Of The Table To Eight Points?

Mounting a dramatic second-half comeback at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory against Southampton.

Taking a deserved lead on the half hour mark as Dominik Szoboszlai pounced on Flynn Downes’ lose pass as the Hungarian international produced a classy finish, it appeared Arne Slot’s side were set for a routine afternoon on the south coast.

However, watching Adam Armstrong tap home following his missed spot-kick just moments before the half-time break, Southampton came flying out of the traps following the restart.

Watching Matheus Fernandes finish off a slick move just 11 minutes after the break, it appeared that a major upset could have been on the cards.

Nevertheless, with the mood in Slot’s camp at a red-hit high, Liverpool mounted a sensational comeback as Mohamed Salah stole all of the headlines at St. Mary’s.

With Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy gifting Salah an equaliser after 65 minutes when he was caught badly out of position trying to collect Ryan Gravenberch’s long ball, there was one final twist in Sunday’s showdown.

With the Egyptian record-breaker converting from the penalty spot in the final minuets, Slot’s high-flying squad extended their buffer at the top of the table to eight points.

In a battle between two sides who find themselves scrapping it out at opposite ends of the table, we have taken a look at the key talking points.

Liverpool extend on their title charge

Although many around Anfield might have been left heartbroken over the summer as Jurgen Klopp bid farewell following his nine-year stint in charge, the Reds have embarked on a sensational rise following Slot’s arrival.

Only continuing to receive a string of plaudits from across the globe, the former Feyenoord boss couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to life in the red half of Merseyside.

Firing on all cylinders and with the mood around Anfield at a red-hot high, Liverpool have now lost just one of their first 18 appearances across all competitions and they are suddenly pencilled in as the leading title contender.

Mounting a sensational comeback here and now holding a commanding eight-point buffer over defending champions Manchester City, Sunday’s guests are riding what has become a record-breaking wave of momentum.

Really gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, the Premier League heavyweights will be looking to make another almighty statement on Wednesday night when they welcomed Spanish icons Real Madrid to town.

Salah steals the show at St. Mary’s

Although Klopp might have eventually left the red half of Merseyside over the summer, Liverpool supporters did manage to keep hold of their attacking talisman following major Saudi interest.

However, with Salah electing to reject a bank-breaking move to the Middle East, the former Roma star has cemented his spot as the poster boy of Slot’s new squad and has been a vital part of Liverpool’s remarkable success so far this season.

Spearheading the Reds’ dramatic second-half comeback here, the Egyptian superstar has now recorded 10 goals in just his previous 13 appearances for club and country.

With growing optimism around Anfield that the 32-year-old is inclined to sign a new contract extension, Slot has been quick to praise the immediate impact that Salah has over the first few months.

Already putting 10 Premier League strikes on the board and only sat behind Erling Haaland in the race for this season’s Golden Boot, Salah will now be looking to lead Liverpool to just a second domestic crown since 1990.

More heartbreak for Southampton

While Southampton might have opened November with a maiden Premier League victory as they snatched a 1-0 win against Everton, it appears that was just a minor boost for Sunday’s hosts.

Although the Saints might have secured a Premier League return for this season, Russell Martin’s men have an almighty uphill battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their top-flight status.

Suffering a real second-half collapse here, Southampton still find themselves sat rock-bottom of the Premier League table and are pencilled in as a landslide relegation candidate.

Heading into November’s international break with a 2-0 loss at the hands of fellow strugglers Wolves, the former Swansea boss certainly has mounting pressure on his shoulders at St. Mary’s.

Putting just four points on the board from any of their first 12 Premier League appearances and showing some glaring defensive issues, Martin’s side will be next seen when they travel to Brighton on Friday night.

Match Report

Southampton: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis Stephens, Fraser, Downes, Mateus Fernandes, Lallana, Armstrong, Onuachu

Subs: Sugawara, Archer, Aribo, Ugochukwu

Liverpool: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Salah, Nunez

Subs: Mac Allister, Diaz, Endo

Goals: Southampton: Armstrong (42’), Fernandes (56’) – Liverpool: Szoboszlai (30’), Salah (65’, 83’ P)

Yellow Cards: Southampton: Stephens, Armstrong, Lallana – Liverpool: Bradley, Konate, Gakpo, Salah

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Samuel Barrott