Liverpool came from a goal down to beat
Southampton 3-1 to move back to the top of
the Premier League and take a slender
advantage in the title race.
Shane Long gave the hosts a shock lead inside nine minutes after a rare defensive lapse, but Naby Keita’s header levelled things up before half-time.
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It looked like Liverpool would be frustrated
until late goals from Mohamed Salah and
Jordan Henderson made sure of the points as Liverpool returned to the summit.
Jurgen Klopp made the bold choice to swap
around his midfield after the 2-1 win over
Tottenham, with Fabinho and Keita coming in for Henderson and James Milner.
But the change appeared to hinder the
Reds, rather than give them a fresh approach, as Southampton pressed high up the field.
After a scrappy start to the game, it was
Southampton who broke the deadlock with
their first attempt on goal.
The Reds began to settle and find their
rhythm as they searched for an equaliser and Angus Gunn had to be strong to deny Sadio Mane from close range, before Keita struck the rebound onto the outside of the post.
Klopp changed up his midfield on the hour
mark, sending on Milner and Henderson in an attempt to add some steel to the triumvirate in the middle.
But Southampton continued to hold firm as
they deployed Nathan Redmond as a lone
striker in the latter stages. Liverpool were not to be denied, though. After catching the Saints high upfield following a corner, Salah broke forward at pace and Bertrand was alone at the back.
The Egyptian had options to his left and right but decided to go for goal, striking into the bottom corner with help from the post.
The hosts made a double change to try and
grab a dramatic equaliser but this was
Liverpool’s night. Firmino cut inside Jannik Vestergaard and played a perfect ball into the box into the path of Henderson, who tucked home past Gunn to make sure of the points.