Liverpool survived a scare from Southampton as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez impressed the fightback in a 3-1 win that lifted the Premier League leaders 16 factors clear on the high on Saturday. Arne Slot’s aspect have been rocked by Will Smallbone’s first half opener for backside of the desk Southampton at Anfield. But Liverpool recovered their composure after half-time and the much-maligned Nunez equalised earlier than incomes the penalty that Salah transformed to place them forward. Salah netted one other penalty to achieve 32 targets in all competitions this season because the Reds edged nearer to a record-equalling twentieth English title and their first since 2020.
Second-placed Arsenal have two video games in hand on Liverpool, together with Sunday’s journey to Manchester United.
But Liverpool’s relentless march to the title appears to be like unstoppable regardless of how the Gunners fare within the ultimate weeks of what’s shaping as much as be a dream first season for Slot after changing Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are chasing a treble and can look to complete off Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday after stealing a 1-0 victory from the Champions League final 16 first leg final Wednesday.
Liverpool will then head to Wembley on March 16 as they intention to win the primary trophy of the Slot period in opposition to Newcastle within the League Cup ultimate.
After that, Liverpool — overwhelmed simply as soon as within the league this season — could have 9 video games left to wrap up the title.
Languishing 13 factors from security, Southampton nonetheless want two extra factors to match Derby’s Premier League document low of 11 in a complete season.
Due to a quirk of the fixture record, this was Liverpool’s solely league match in March.
It took Curtis Jones simply 48 seconds to have Liverpool’s first shot and the midfielder was inches away moments later with a long-range roller that flashed simply huge.
Liverpool had matched their paltry shot whole in opposition to PSG in midweek throughout the first couple of minutes at Anfield.
Champions-elect
In holding with Southampton’s season of self-inflicted wounds, a heavy collision between Saints duo Ryan Manning and Jan Bednarek pressured the latter to get replaced resulting from a head damage.
Having misplaced their captain, Southampton almost inflicted some ache on Liverpool as Mateus Fernandes’s blast was repelled by Alisson.
Liverpool have been unusually susceptible on the again and Albert Gronbaek was inches away from connecting with Fernandes’s cross.
It was uncomfortable viewing for Slot, who was watching from the stands as he served the final sport of his suspension for his foul-mouthed rant at officers after the stormy draw in opposition to Everton.
And in first half stoppage-time, the Dutchman was left holding his head in disbelief.
Liverpool have been the authors of their very own downfall as Virgil van Dijk received in a tangle with Alisson as each didn’t clear, permitting Smallbone to slide his shot by way of the keeper’s legs.
Alisson’s excellent efficiency was essential within the backs-to-the-wall win in Paris, however the Brazilian was culpable this time as shocked silence descended on Anfield.
Crucially, Slot despatched on Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Andrew Robertson at half-time.
Elliott scored along with his first contact after coming off the bench in opposition to PSG and the midfielder nearly repeated the trick as his shot was saved by Ramsdale.
Liverpool have been 2-1 down in opposition to Southampton earlier than coming again to win 3-2 at St Mary’s in November and as soon as once more they got here from behind.
Luis Diaz was the catalyst within the 51st minute with an incisive raid that climaxed with a pin-point cross that Nunez completed with aplomb.
Liverpool’s revival was full 4 minutes later when Smallbone conceded a delicate penalty along with his journey on Nunez.
Salah stepped as much as drill the spot-kick previous Ramsdale in emphatic style.
There was time for Salah to strike with one other penalty, conceded by Yukinari Sugawara’s handball, because the Kop echoed to chants proclaiming Liverpool as champions-elect.
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