Liverpool Stretch Lead
Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the EPL standings to 16 points after a not so convincing win over relegation bound Southampton at Anfield. It was a desperate rearguard action from the Reds after a listless first half.
Southampton Outshine Hosts in the First Half At Anfield
The visitors played a better first 45 minutes and scored through Will Smallbone to give some headaches to Arne Slot, who buried his head into his hands after Southampton took the lead at the stroke of half-time. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and ace goalkeeper Alisson Becker collided with each other in front of their goal-mouth, presenting an opportunity for Smallbone to fire a shot into the Liverpool net. The Saints had got ahead.
A Dressing Down From Arne Slot
A visibly unimpressed Arne Slot, watching from the stands, serving a two-match ban, gave a bit of a dressing down to his troops at the break, which seemed to have spurred the home team when the took the field in the second half. There was much more energy on the field and a clear show of intent from the Reds.
Nunez Helps Liverpool Take Lead
Luis Diaz made a fine run from the left flank and passed on to Darwin Nunez waiting at the centre of the box. The Uruguayan with his first touch, dispatched the ball into the Southampton net. It was a superb finish indeed from Nunez, with hardly any time to react. The strike got Liverpool on level terms in the 51st minute. 4 minutes later Nunez once again was in the thick of action winning a penalty for his side, which Mo Salah, the Egyptian King converted with consummate ease. Liverpool had taken the lead.
Salah The Master Of Penalties
In the 88th minute a handball from Southampton resulted in another penalty which Salah converted for his 184th goal of his Premier League career. Southampton did not pose much problems for the hosts in the second half and they emerged clear winners 3-1. The earful from Arne Slot at the break had done wonders.
Liverpool Need To Be On Guard
Liverpool with this victory are sitting pretty at the top but Arsenal have all the opportunity to cut down the lead as they play three games before they play Everton in April. The race is still not over and the Reds have to keep watching over their shoulder.
A Big Week Coming Up For Arne
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16-2nd Leg is due on Tuesday as Liverpool play host to French Champions PSG. Though Liverpool managed to win in Paris last week, the tie is far from over with Liverpool having a slender 1 goal advantage. PSG would be a handful and Liverpool have to be at their best to get the better of PSG. The Carabao Cup Final is also due on March 16 for the Reds. An exciting but an extremely important week awaits Liverpool. No wonder Arne Slot would be vying for his 1st Silverware as Manager of the Reds.
Read Quick, Read Better @ rizkhan.in
Visit Sports FACTory Youtube Channel