Premier League leaders Liverpool opened up an eight-point hole between themselves and second-placed Manchester Metropolis after they got here from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 in a Tremendous Sunday thriller at St Mary’s.

Objectives from Adam Armstrong and Matheus Fernandes had seen Saints cancel out Dominik Szoboszlai’s opener – however Mohamed Salah’s double did the trick for Arne Slot’s aspect in moist and windy circumstances on the south coast.

It was nearly the right begin for Southampton. With seven minutes on the clock, Armstrong chopped inside Ibrahima Konate and went to floor contained in the field. The house followers had been incensed, sure a penalty ought to comply with, however neither referee Sam Barrott nor VAR Michael Oliver agreed.

Liverpool began in lacklustre vogue however examined Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – beginning within the Premier League for the primary time in three months – on a handful of events, till they had been gifted the lead.

McCarthy rolled the ball to Fernandes underneath intense stress, Flynn Downes tried and didn’t hook the ball clear, which allowed Szoboszlai to arrow a shot into the top-left nook. It was the seventh error resulting in a purpose from Russell Martin’s aspect this season – probably the most within the Premier League.

However, simply earlier than the break, Saints bought themselves stage. A prolonged VAR evaluation confirmed Tyler Dibling was clattered by Andy Robertson simply contained in the field and, although Caoimhin Kelleher saved Armstrong’s preliminary effort, the ahead tucked away the rebound.

Earlier than the hour mark, the comeback was full. Dibling received the ball in a good house close to the midway line and lifted a marvellous go into the trail of Armstrong. He held the ball up, turned and squared for Fernandes to certain in and sweep residence.

Then the momentum swung once more. Ryan Gravenberch hoisted the ball ahead for Salah, whose nonchalant end caught McCarthy – who had been prompted to return racing off his line – chilly, with the ball trickling previous him and into the unguarded web.

And there was no manner again for the hosts as soon as Salah rattled a penalty previous McCarthy after Yukinari Sugawara had dealt with when misreading a cross to the again submit, which confirmed the groups would keep of their respective positions on the high and backside of the Premier League desk.

Ought to Lallana have seen crimson?

Previous to his substitution, Southampton’s Adam Lallana was booked for a foul on Gravenberch.

He isn’t in management, he isn’t even wanting on the ball,” mentioned Sky Sports activities‘ Roy Keane.

“They’ve regarded on the character of the participant, he is not likely a nasty sort. Southampton have gotten away with one there. The extra I have a look at it the more serious it will get.”

Evaluation: Liverpool cement ‘title favourites’ tag

Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:

Slot has received 10 of his 12 Premier League video games in control of Liverpool, the joint-fastest any supervisor has reached double figures for wins within the competitors. And all of the indicators, after one other measure of his aspect’s capability to beat adversity, stay rosy.

Errors had been made, however the scoreline solely ever briefly compromised. Liverpool look imperious, led by the magnificence of Salah, and have now opened up an eight-point hole on the high.

It’s laborious to see Manchester Metropolis, 4-0 losers to Spurs this weekend, difficult at this second in time, whereas slip-ups have additionally been made by Arsenal in latest weeks. Liverpool hold profitable.

The Slot steam prepare is rolling on at an alarming tempo, and now they have to contemplate themselves favourites for the title. After all, such sentiment is not going to be whispered outdoors the partitions of their Kirkby coaching base, vulnerable to inviting complacency, however we’re all pondering the identical factor.

Apparently Slot “would not do romanticism, he does wins”. Hold going at this fee and Liverpool shall be in line to win the largest prize of all of them.

Martin: Saints should break data once more in survival bid

Southampton supervisor Russell Martin:

“My overriding feeling on the minute is the frustration and disappointment on the objectives we concede, that are so poor. We had been enjoying towards a workforce with such high quality and in the event that they produce a second of magic or rating a superb workforce purpose, you’ll be able to perhaps settle for it just a little bit extra, however the high quality of the objectives we concede are so unhealthy, so unhealthy.

“We regarded a risk, a lot better than we did at Wolves when it comes to the ultimate third and the attacking risk we had. Massive numbers lots of the time, enjoying towards the perfect workforce within the league. We restricted them to lots of pictures from outdoors the field.

“I requested the blokes to play shortly and ahead as a lot as they may, then it was the unsuitable time to do this as a result of Liverpool had so many gamers within the remaining third. We wanted to take the sting out of the sport and handle that. However that is on me and I have to make it clearer when and the place to do this.

“There’s not a scarcity of competing, a scarcity of battle, a scarcity of want and willingness to run for one another. The gamers that had been right here within the Premier League final time really feel very in another way in regards to the feeling of this; even after Man Metropolis away, Arsenal away, Liverpool at residence, the blokes really feel they’re so shut and we’ve got to eradicate these moments.

“The workforce broke all kinds of data final yr, so we will must do it once more.”

Slot: Liverpool not getting carried away regardless of wholesome lead

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot:

“After all, we’re actually pleased, particularly as a result of, after an hour, we had been 2-1 down. Possibly that wasn’t a mirrored image of how the primary hour went as a result of we dominated the entire sport, which isn’t that simple. I’ve seen many video games the place Southampton dominated the sport.

“In the long run, for those who’re 2-1 down after an hour, you’re perhaps over the moon for those who win 3-2.

“We at all times know we are able to belief him [Salah] if issues are tough for us. After we went 2-1 down, I did not actually really feel that was the second we must always rating then, after a implausible go from Ryan Gravenberch, the timing of the run and the best way Mo completed it was particular and that actually helped us again into the sport.

“Final season, it was even in a while within the season Arsenal led by eight factors and Man Metropolis got here again so you already know Arsenal, Chelsea, Metropolis and all the opposite groups are capable of win so many video games in a row. It is good to have this place, however we’re positively not getting carried away.”

Story of the match in stats…

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