Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic 3-2 victory over struggling Southampton on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah’s second-half brace turned the tide for the visitors, who now enjoy an eight-point cushion over reigning champions Manchester City.
The result marked a pivotal moment in the title race, as City suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur just a day earlier.
Liverpool’s journey to victory began with a bright start, capitalizing on Southampton’s defensive frailties.
The home side’s attempt to play out from the back proved costly when Flynn Downes misplaced a pass under intense Liverpool pressure.
The ball fell perfectly for Dominik Szoboszlai at the edge of the box, and the Hungarian midfielder coolly fired into the net to give Liverpool an early lead.
“We had a couple of meetings before the game and we know they build-up from the back,” Szoboszlai explained to Sky Sports after the match. “Sometimes they do well, sometimes they make mistakes and that was the case here. We pressed really well and got the goal.”
Southampton, however, quickly found a way back into the contest. A controversial moment unfolded when Andy Robertson tripped Tyler Dibling just outside the penalty area, yet the referee awarded a spot kick after consulting VAR.
Although Caoimhín Kelleher saved Adam Armstrong’s initial penalty, the forward was quick to react, scoring on the rebound to make it 1-1.
The Saints then stunned Liverpool with a brilliant counter-attack early in the second half. Dibling’s incisive pass found Armstrong in space, and the forward delivered a perfect ball for Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder finished with composure, giving Southampton a 2-1 advantage and sending the home crowd into raptures.
Liverpool’s response was immediate. Darwin Núñez narrowly missed connecting with a cross for Luis Díaz at the far post, but it was Mohamed Salah who stepped up when it mattered most.
The Egyptian latched onto a lofted pass from Ryan Gravenberch, burst past the Southampton defense, and calmly slid the ball past an onrushing Alex McCarthy to restore parity.
The equalizer highlighted Southampton’s defensive struggles this season, marking their eighth error directly leading to a goal – the most by any Premier League team.
Liverpool piled on the pressure in the closing stages, and it paid off when Yukinari Sugawara was penalized for a handball in the box.
Salah confidently dispatched the resulting penalty to seal the win and take his tally to 10 league goals this season.
Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, Szoboszlai praised the team’s character. “They are a good team, good with the ball.
They scored two quick goals, but the most important thing was the reaction. We showed it very well and [I’m] happy with the three points,” he said.
Despite their commanding lead at the summit, Szoboszlai remained cautious. “It is a great feeling [going eight points clear] but it is the beginning of the season. We just need to continue and not think where the other teams are,” he added.
Liverpool now sit on 31 points from 12 games, while Southampton remain rooted to the bottom, their defensive woes leaving them with a mountain to climb in their fight for survival.
