Southampton Stun Early, But Liverpool Respond: The Postmortem | OneFootball

Liverpool 3-1 Southampton – Premier League Postmortem

The atmosphere at Anfield was brimming with expectation as Liverpool entertained a team destined for Championship football next season. The need for points had long departed the Saints, however, the requirements of the hosts were ongoing as the chance for ultimate glory beckoned.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

The Starting Eleven

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Ibrahima Konaté

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Kostas Tsimikas

CM – Curtis Jones

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Darwin Núñez

LF – Luis Díaz

Subs

Alexis Mac Allister – Curtis Jones (45 mins)

Andy Robertson – Kostas Tsimikas (45 mins)

Harvey Elliott – Dominik Szoboszlai (45 mins)

Diogo Jota – Darwin Núñez (67 mins)

Wataru Endō – Ryan Gravenberch (81 mins)

Jarell Quansah – Trent Alexander Arnold (89 mins)

Photo: IMAGO

Goals (Assisted by)

Liverpool 0 – 1 Southampton

Will Smallbone – 45+1 mins

Liverpool 1 – 1 Southampton

Darwin Núñez (Luis Díaz) 51 mins

Liverpool 2 – 1 Southampton

Mohamed Salah (Penalty) 54 mins

Liverpool 3 – 1 Southampton

Mohamed Salah (Penalty) 88 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession

Liverpool 61% – 39% Southampton

XG

Liverpool 4.12 – 0.36 Southampton

Total Shots

Liverpool 28 – 6 Southampton

Corner Kicks

Liverpool 6 – 4 Southampton

Off Sides

Liverpool 0 – 1 Southampton

Fouls

Liverpool 10 – 9 Southampton

Goalkeeper Saves

Liverpool 3 – 4 Southampton

Photo: IMAGO

The First Half

The match began with Liverpool looking to set out their stall and impose some dominance, however, it was the visiting Saints that looked the more able and determined with a vibrant and energetic start. The Reds had perhaps expected a fairly routine encounter, though Southampton manager, Ivan Jurić, had set out his men for a fight.

Despite the above, it was Curtis Jones who had the game’s initial opportunity to score as some good work around the outside of the box allowed the England international to release a low shot, one which failed to shit the target as it worked it way low and past the post. The next period of this game was a melee of poor football from the hosts, with the Saint’s Jan Bednarek having to be replaced due to a clash of heads. A header on goal ensued which was held comfortably by Alisson Becker and Darwin Núñez saw his header at the other end placed high and over the bar. A quick snapshot of the Uruguayan was easily collected by Aaron Ramsdale before an attempted overhead kick by the striker was sent wide.

It would be in the final stages of the half that the significant impact would prevail. A simple ball into the Liverpool penalty area was ushered towards the byline by the Reds skipper, Virgil van Dijk, who expected Alisson Becker to come and collect. Some confusion and hesitation between the two Anfield Titans allowed Will Smallbone to grab the ball and score from the angle. The stadium was shocked and the 20th-placed team was a goal up on the runaway league leaders. With tensions running high and the seconds ticking away until full-time, the former Benfica forward, Darwin Núñez, was booked for kicking out and received a yellow card when it could have easily been red.

The first half ended with Liverpool 0-1 behind and with a half-time teamtalk incoming that would include no praise from Arne Slot.

The Second Half

Liverpool made three changes to his starting level as Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott replaced Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai. An annoyed Dutchman, Arne Slot, who had been angry at the lack of effort and intensity and scootering to his post-match words, wanted to create anger in the group by making three changes for the second half. That decision paid dividends almost immediately.

The urgency and intensity of Liverpool ramped up as soon as the second-half whistle sounded, with a quick variety of attacking play resulting in corners and opportunities to level the game. A fine moment of wing play by the Colombian flyer, Luis Díaz ended in a perfect pullback and first-time finish by his South American teammate, Darwin, who struck perfectly the first time after getting ahead of his marker at the Saints near post. Almost immediately, the 28-year-old, Luis Díaz, shot at Ramsdale with venomous intent and seconds later a penalty was awarded for a could on Núñez. Mohamed Salah stepped up and crisply placed the ball into the corner to take his side into a lead.

It must be noted that the introduction of the Argentina World Cup winner, Alexis Mac Allister, was the fuel and control which enabled a more successful game state, whereas the urgency of Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott elevated the endeavour of the team. Trent Alexander Arnold had been influential and mature in his work, whereas others saw their performances rise alongside the uplift of the side.

Despite several chances and some good work by the hosts, the score remained set at a precarious 2-1 until the 88th minute. A handball in the Southampton box was pulled back by VAR and with aplomb, the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah launched his second goal into the net. The introduction of the Japan skipper, Wataru Endō, had come before the Red’s third goal and he enabled a deeper resilience that is now being gratefully endorsed by his manager.

The match concluded with a score of 3-1 and a win that came due to a very good second-half showing.

Final Thoughts

This match was cratered around extending the Reds Premier League lead to sixteen points, whereas players needed a degree of protection before the PSG game on Tuesday night. Six wins from nine remaining games is what is needed to secure a 20th English League title, with four or five more likely to be what is needed.

Next up will see Anfield welcome PSG for the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League tie, a game which Arne Slot will now focus on and look to overcome.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 4-0 Southampton