Mohamed Salah scored twice in the second half to help Liverpool come from behind to overcome a resilient Southampton side in an intriguing Premier League clash at St. Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.
In a clash between top versus bottom, Dominik Szoboszlai put the league leaders ahead after 30 minutes with his first Premier League goal of the season after latching on to some poor ball distribution by the Saints at the back.
That lead lasted only 12 minutes, though, as Adam Armstrong got the Saints back on level terms, pouncing on to the rebound to score after Liverpool goalkeeper, Caiomhin Kelleher, got a hand on the forward’s penalty kick.
Armstrong went from goal-scorer to creator as he set up Matheus Fernandes to give the Saints a surprise lead 10 minutes into the second half – a news that would have been well received by the likes of City, Arsenal and Chelsea.
The goal was a wake-up call for Liverpool, with the Reds getting back on level terms 10 minutes after falling behind. Mohamed Salah running on to Ryan Gravenberch’s ball over the top to slot past the onrushing Southampton keeper.
Salah then put Liverpool back in front in the 83rd minute from the penalty spot after Sugarawa was adjudged to have handled Salah’s ball into the area.
The Egyptian was whiskers away from completing a hat-trick as he shot a volley off a deflected Luiz Diaz cross, only to see his effort come off the inside post with the Southampton keeper well beaten.
Liverpool would hold on to claim the win in a five-goal thriller and go 11 points clear of City at the top of the Premier League, with the Reds hosting Guardiola’s men next Sunday in a top-of-the-table showdown at Anfield.