Salah brace stretches gap at the top

Arne Slot’s Liverpool cemented their lead at the top of the table by beating Southampton 3-2 on the South Coast.

Liverpool got the start they wanted when they caught Southampton in possession from their own penalty area.

A loose clearance saw the ball land at the feet of Dominik Szoboszlai, who curled the ball into the top-left corner, with the ball kissing the post on its way in.

But the visitors fought back through Adam Armstrong, who followed his penalty kick up to equalise after Andy Robertson had been penalised controversially, with the challenge looking like it was outside of the box.

Then the Saints stunned the league leaders by grabbing a second through Mateus Fernandes, who finished cooly into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-1.

However, in a flash it was 2-2, Mohamed Salah capitalising on a mistake to draw things level again.

And as he so often does, the Egyptian netted the winner.

Yukinari Sugawara handled the ball in the box, giving the Reds a spot-kick, which Salah cooly converted before wheeling off to celebrate.

The win puts Liverpool eight points clear at the top, with Manchester City crucially dropping points to Tottenham on Saturday.

GET IN THERE!!!!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/fTxm2ipYpo

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 24, 2024

How it happened

Liverpool’s breakthrough came in the 30th minute following a defensive error from the hosts.

Southampton, attempting to play out from the back, gifted Szoboszlai possession on the edge of the box.

The Hungarian midfielder capitalised, curling a clinical shot past Alex McCarthy for a 1-0 lead.

Southampton responded and found their equaliser in dramatic fashion just before half-time.

Luke Dibling’s penetrating run earned the hosts a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Andy Robertson.

Although Caoimhin Kelleher saved Armstrong’s initial effort, the forward was quick to bury the rebound, levelling the score at 1-1.

42′ – Goal for Southampton. Kelleher saves Armstrong’s penalty, but he scores on the rebound.

[1-1] #SOULIV

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 24, 2024

Southampton stunned Liverpool in the 56th minute with a well-executed counter-attack.

Adam Armstrong’s hold-up play teed up Mateus Fernandes, who slotted home to give the Saints a 2-1 advantage.

Liverpool, however, were quick to respond.

In the 65th minute, Ryan Gravenberch’s sublime lofted pass found Salah, who beat the offside trap and finished coolly past McCarthy to make it 2-2.

The Egyptian forward, in sparkling form, continued to torment the Southampton defence until the final whistle.

The decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute when Salah’s cross struck Sugawara’s arm inside the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty.

83′ – GET IN THEREEEE!!!

No mistake from Salah, who scores the penalty to fire us back ahead 🥶

[2-3] #SOULIV https://t.co/ntunG8ttdd

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 24, 2024

Salah stepped up and delivered with aplomb, curling his shot into the top left corner despite McCarthy guessing correctly.

His celebration earned him a booking, but Liverpool reclaimed their lead at 3-2.

Southampton pressed for a late equaliser, but Liverpool managed the closing stages effectively.

Salah came agonisingly close to a hat-trick in the 88th minute when his volley struck the post, but the Reds held firm through eight minutes of added time.

The win sees Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points, with Salah adding to his tally of 10 goals and six assists this season.

Southampton, despite their spirited performance, remain rooted to the bottom but will take heart from their resilience against the league leaders.