SOUTHAMPTON — Liverpool went eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table after fighting back to win 3-2 at Southampton on Sunday.
At a windswept and rain-soaked St Mary’s, Liverpool went ahead through Dominik Szoboszlai but found themselves behind early in the second half after Adam Armstrong made it 1-1, then set up Mateus Fernandes to make it 2-1.
But another calamitous mistake from Alex McCarthy allowed Mohamed Salah to make it 2-2, then Salah scored the winner from the penalty spot with just over five minutes to go to seal the win.
With the win Liverpool stay top and move on to 31 points, eight clear of second-place Manchester City who they host at Anfield next weekend. Southampton remain bottom of the table on four points and will be cursing their big defensive mistakes.
Salah saves the day for sloppy Liverpool
The game after an international break is always tricky for the big boys and this trip to St Mary’s proved just that for Liverpool. They were caught on the counter, looked sloppy in large spells either side of half time and were dragged into the scrap in the wind and rain. But they got the job done. Just. Like Liverpool, it took Mohamed Salah a long time to get into full flow. He now has ten goals and six assists so far this season as Arne Slot’s side needed their main man to rescue them when they were 2-1 down with just over 25 minutes to go. Sure, Liverpool had dominated play and were creating chances and forcing Southampton into making big mistakes defensively. But until Salah made the most of a seemingly straightforward ball over the top to masterfully prod it past the onrushing and out of position McCarthy, it looked like they might suffer a shock defeat. He kept his cool to slam home the winner from the penalty spot and smashed the post late on as he chased a hat trick. Salah was the difference. He usually always is and he set up a huge home game at Anfield against Man City next Sunday. The advantage in the title race is Liverpool’s and Salah is the ace they always have up their sleeve. His contract negotiations are getting easier for his advisors by the minute.
Southampton vs Liverpool player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Liverpool host Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, then welcome Man City to Anfield on Sunday, December 1. Southampton head to Brighton on Friday, November 29.
Southampton vs Liverpool final score: 2-3
Armstrong 42', Fernandes 56'; Szoboszlai 30', Salah 64', Salah 84'
Southampton vs Liverpool live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at St Mary’s
Full time: Southampton 2-3 Liverpool
🚨 Full time here at St Mary’s - Southampton 2-3 Liverpool, as Salah inspired a BIG comeback win for Liverpool.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 24, 2024
Recap, highlights, reaction and more ➡️ https://t.co/acuiL8TxnX
My thoughts on a wild one as #LFC deservedly beat #SaintsFC, in the end ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/sGnKwTtkIt
Salah hits the post
A cross into the box is deflected into the air and finds Salah. He smashes a volley but hits the post. Almost four for Liverpool.
Salah slams home the penalty! - Southampton 2-3 Liverpool
A cross to the back post sees Sugawara knock the ball onto his hand from his chest. A penalty kick is given and Salah slots home. Liverpool’s players and the away end goes wild!
McCarthy denies Diaz, then Liverpool almost make it 3-2
What a fine save that is. Diaz flicks a corner towards the far corner and McCarthy climbs high and tips it wide. From the next roenr he completely misses it and Gravenberch somehow flicks over from close range.
Salah with a great finish and Liverpool are level - Southampton 2-2 Liverpool
Mohamed Salah makes it 2-2! One long ball over the top catches Southampton out and Salah flicks it past McCarthy. What a finish! But McCarthy got that all wrong.
Unbelievable! Saints break and Fernandes slots home - Southampton 2-1 Liverpool
St Mary’s has gone wild!!!! Fraser starts a counter on the right and finds Dibling. His great pass sets Armstrong away. He finds Fernandes who slots home calmly. Cue chaos as the home fans have properly lost it. Southampton lead!
Tyler Dibling dribbles past several players and smashes over
The teenager is really enjoying himself and runs past several Liverpool players and then drills a shot over the bar. Dibling is a real talent. The home fans are enjoying his display. As they should. The academy product just made his England U21 debut in the recent international break.
Onuachu down with an injury and has to come off
Paul Onuachu is stopped breaking clear by Gakpo, who is booked, and the Southampton man is saying he can’t carry on. Lesley Ugochukwu is coming on. Such a shame, as Onuachu had given Saints such a presence up top.
Half time: Southampton 1-1 Liverpool
Well, that was intriguing! Liverpool took the lead through Szoboszlai after that poor Southampton mistake but the hosts did respond well. Armstrong equalized on the rebound after having his penalty kick saved and Saints have been decent when they’ve got on the ball. You feel that Liverpool will have too much and force plenty of mistakes in the second half, but Saints are scrapping away.
🚨 Southampton 1-1 Liverpool at half time, and that was a fun first 45! Liverpool well on top but Saints scrapping away.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 24, 2024
WATCH LIVE + analysis, reaction and more here ➡️ https://t.co/acuiL8TxnX
My thoughts on a very eventful first half here at St Mary’s for #SaintsFC v #LFC ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/SO5XQJQ5ef
Onuachu is becoming a fans favorite
His first start of the Premier League season and giant striker Paul Onuachu is making the most of it. He’s pulling off incredible flicks, holding the ball up so well and sends St Mary’s wild as he holds off multiple Liverpool players and then sets up an attack down the left. He has “good feet for a big man” just like Peter Crouch.
Penalty to Southampton... and Armstrong scores on the rebound! Southampton 1-1 Liveprool
Van Dijk gives the ball away and Dibling runs at Robertson. The teenager is taken down right on the edge of the box and the referee gives a penalty kick. VAR checks and it’s given. Adam Armstrong steps up and Kelleher saves his penalty kick, but Armstrong tucks the rebound home. St Mary’s goes wild. We are level just before the break! Game on!
Saints almost level right away!
A corner is cleared but then recycled and the ball drops to Downes in the box. His shot is straight at Kelleher from close range but the Liverpool goalkeeper still has to make a smart stop. Brilliant chance for Saints to make it 1-1 right away.
Szoboszlai puts Liverpool ahead after an awful error! - Southampton 0-1 Liverpool
Oh dear. That is woeful from Saints and they’ve shot themselves in the foot. McCarthy rolls it out to Fernandes, who is under pressure. He plays it to Downes who is on his own goalline and his clearance is straight to Szoboszlai. He curls a beauty in off the far post and Liverpool lead. Still, that was an early Christmas present from Southampton.
Gakpo denied at the near post
A bad giveaway by Lallana sets up a Liverpool counter and Gakpo’s low shot is pushed away by McCarthy.
McCarthy denies Salah
Good stop from Alex McCarthy to deny Mohamed Salah. A cross to the back post finds Salah and he prods an effort at goal but McCarthy stays big and saves at his near post.
Konate and Bradley get a yellow card early
Lallana and Onuachu have both been good on the ball and are drawing fouls. Bradley has been booked for fouling Lallana and Konate is just booked for stopping Onuachu break away down the left. The right side of Liverpool’s defense is walking a tightrope now. Less than 20 minutes in.
Bradley’s cross saved and Szoboszlai smashes wide
Good play down Liverpool’s right and Conor Bradley drills the ball across goal but McCarthy pushes it away. The ball drops to Szoboszlai but he hammers it way off target.
Paul Onuachu having a lovely time out there
Six-foot-seven-inch striker Paul Onuachu is having himself a day in his first Premier League start of the season. He spins about four times and keeps the ball so well but on the next passage just overhits a pass. “Tall Paul” as he’s affectionately known in these parts gets a huge cheer from the Southampton fans. He’s been excellent with the few touches he’s had so far today.
Armstrong goes down in the box but no penalty kick
Well then. Adam Armstrong flicks the ball between Konate’s legs and goes down in the box. The home fans want a penalty but the referee waves away those calls. Looked like Konate had a hand on Armstrong’s back but he was already going down.
Decent start to this game
Lovely counter attack from Liverpool and Mohamed Salah’s shot is pushed away for a corner by Alex McCarthy. Southampton had a decent spell before that, started by great hold-up play from Paul Onuachu and ending with a shot on goal from Mateus Fernandes. Lively start.
👋 Welcome to a blustery St Mary’s here on the South Coast!
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 24, 2024
WATCH LIVE, videos, analysis, reaction as Southampton host Liverpool. 20th vs 1st. Huge day for Liverpool. ➡️ https://t.co/acuiL8TxnX
3 things I want to see from #SaintsFC v #LFC here ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/wPnUNdYCT0
Blustery and plenty of Liverpool possession early on
Southampton have started with a back five with midfielder Flynn Downes dropping in to center back. Ryan Fraser is man-marking Mohamed Salah. This could be intriguing.
How to watch Southampton vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (November 24)
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium — Southampton
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live online via NBC.com
Southampton lineup
McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Fraser; Downes, Lallana; Dibling, Fernandes, Armstrong; Onuachu
Liverpool lineup
Kelleher; Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez
Southampton team news, focus
Saints have suffered a big double injury blow with star goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale having to withdraw from the England squad during the international break. Ramsdale has had surgery on his injured finger and is expected to be out until late December with Alex McCarthy set to step in. Polish international center back Jan Bednarek is also out, as he suffered a knee injury during Poland’s game against Portugal during the international break and will be out for the next few weeks. Downes is available, which is a big plus, while Saints’ young center back Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored on his full England debut over the break and will be full of confidence. Also, watch out for teenager Tyler Dibling and young midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Jan Bednarek (knee), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Aaron Ramsdale (finger)
Liverpool team news, focus
There are a few extra injury concerns for Liverpool with Trent Alexander-Arnold not playing over the international break after coming off against Aston Villa with a hamstring issue. Captain Virgil van Dijk was sent home by the Netherlands after their first game during the break but should be good to go. Star goalkeeper Alisson is closer to a return, while Chiesa, Jota and Elliott remain out. Liverpool will likely start with Salah, Diaz and Gakpo in attack with Ryan Gravenberch, Domink Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones holding down midfield. Jones scored a beauty for England against Greece as he starred for the Three Lions and is full of confidence.
OUT: Harvey Elliott (foot), Alisson Becker (thigh), Diogo Jota (chest), Federico Chiesa (other), Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring).
Southampton vs Liverpool prediction
Given this game is after an international break, this might be a good time for Saints to play Liverpool. But Salah is in prime form and he and Liverpool’s forwards will eventually break through. Southampton 0-2 Liverpool.
Southampton vs Liverpool preview
Russell Martin’s Southampton sit bottom of the table with just four points from their first 11 games back in the Premier League. They lost 2-0 at fellow strugglers Wolves before the break but will point to losing star player Flynn Downes to injury just before the game and two VAR calls going against them as playing a huge part in that damaging defeat. Still, Saints now have a tough run of games coming up and have to pick up points otherwise they will be cut adrift in the relegation zone.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are flying high, with nine wins from their first 11 games of the Premier League season as they’re five points clear atop the table. Mohamed Salah is rolling back the years with stunning performances and Liverpool easily beat Aston Villa 2-0 at home before the break. Slot’s possession-based style has added an extra wrinkle to this Liverpool side as they have more control in games but can still be devastating on transitions.
