At St. Mary’s, the prolific forward scored twice in the second half to give Arne Slot’s team an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
The Premier League leaders on the south coast, Liverpool, overcame a severe scare at Southampton thanks to a comeback victory led by Mohamed Salah.
Following a careless start, Liverpool started to exert pressure at the halfway point of the first half. Dominik Szoboszlai seized the lead by curling into the top corner after Flynn Downes’s poor clearing.
Adam Armstrong scored on the second try after Caoimhin Kelleher saved his first attempt, but they were held back before halftime when Andrew Robertson fouled Tyler Dibling on the edge of the penalty area.
After Mateus Fernandes put the final touches on a brilliant counterattacking move, Russell Martin’s team took an unexpected lead. However, Liverpool equalized when Salah beat Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to a long ball over the top from Ryan Gravenberch to poke into an empty net.
Caoimhin Kelleher, goalkeeper and defense (7/10):
made a good stop to put out Armstrong’s spot-kick after denying Downes. Unfortunately, Fernandes’ effort was unsuccessful, and the rebound was converted.
Bradley Conor (5/10):
Alexander-Arnold was substituted due to injury, although his defensive play was hindered by an early booking. went on to have a few combinations with Salah, but was unable to produce anything noteworthy.
Konate, Ibrahima (3/10):
lacked poise from the first whistle, allowing pressure to be applied to the Liverpool goal due to his carelessness. Booked in an untidy performance.
Virgil van Dijk (4/10):
Forced into a physical battle with the giant Onuachu before his crazy decision to attempt a backheel in the centre circle led directly to the penalty.
Robertson, Andrew (5/10):
Early on, he had some good forward connections with Gakpo, but his comeback to the starting lineup was marred by the penalty he gave Dibling after he fouled him. He still doesn’t appear to be the player he was.
Curtis Jones, midfield (6/10):
Szobozslai’s first goal was caused by good pressure, but they were substituted on the hour because they were unable to keep control of the midfield.
Gravenberch, Ryan (8/10):
The midfielder led the way in the engine room with yet another brilliant performance. Salah scored the equalizer for Liverpool after a fantastic ball over the top.
Szoboszlai, Dominik (6/10):
The visitors took the lead thanks to an outstanding finish, but at other points he lacked poise. Fernandes scored because Dibling was not challenged on the sidelines.
Muhammad Salah’s attack (8/10):
After a few early attempts, they were unable to establish themselves in the game until they were able to equalize by latching onto Gravenberch’s lofted pass. hit the post late in the game to nearly secure a hat-trick and made no mistake from the spot for the victory. Without him, where would they be?
Nunez Darwin (4/10):
The Uruguayan struggled to make an impression on the game and occasionally came across as agitated, even though he was playing a new role and facing Downes directly.
Gakpo, Cody (6/10):
put McCarthy to the test with a nasty first-half shot and some teaser crosses into the box. Before being replaced on the hour, it was booked.
Alexis Mac Allister, manager and substitutes (6/10):
After Jones was replaced, it gave Liverpool more midfield control.
Luis Diaz (7/10):
After replacing Gakpo, he immediately increased the attack’s tempo and intensity and twice came very near to scoring himself.
Endo Wataru (N/A):
Nunez came on in the closing minutes.
Slot Arne (7/10):
His hand was somewhat pushed by injuries and delayed international returns, but his team lacked intensity until they fell behind. Although some might have wondered who he removed, his replacements undoubtedly had the intended effect.