Liverpool took another step towards the Premier League title as they beat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
However, the Merseysiders conceded the opening goal in first-half stoppage time after Alisson Becker bizarrely decided to kick the ball instead of claiming it with his hands after Virgil van Dijk protected it, and William Smallbone took full advantage by striking home from close range.
Arne Slot made a triple change at the start of the second half, with Andrew Robertson, Harvey Elliott and Alexis Mac Allister replacing Kostas Tsimikas, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones.
The hosts were level shortly after the interval through Darwin Nunez, who poked home Luis Diaz's low cutback, while the Uruguayan striker then won a penalty moments later that Mohamed Salah expertly converted to give his side all three points.
Salah then converted another penalty late on after a handball offence from Yukinari Sugawara - his 184th Premier League goal - and he is now level with Sergio Aguero as the league's fifth-highest goalscorer.
The result means that the Reds are now 16 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal and only need 18 points from a possible 27 to confirm their status as champions, while the Saints remain last in 20th place with nine points and are 13 points adrift from 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers with just 10 games remaining.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
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Liverpool will know they are tantalisingly close to winning a 20th league title following their victory at Anfield, and they have the luxury of being able to focus on the Champions League.
However, Slot will be frustrated by his side's complacency in the first half, with the midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Jones and Szoboszlai all struggling.
The Saints are almost certain to be relegated, but they run the risk of claiming the unwanted record of being the worst team in Premier League history given they have not yet surpassed Derby County's points tally of 11 from 2007-08.
LIVERPOOL VS. SOUTHAMPTON HIGHLIGHTS
45+1st min: Liverpool 0-1 Southampton (William Smallbone)
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Southampton take a throw-in from the left towards Liverpool's penalty area and though van Dijk shields the ball for Alisson, the goalkeeper opts to kick the ball instead of claiming it with his hands, and his error allows Smallbone to collect possession in the box before striking into the back of the net from a tight angle.
A bizarre error from Alisson!
52nd min: Liverpool 1-1 Southampton (Darwin Nunez)
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Diaz drives down the left touchline and charges towards the penalty area before cutting a pass back to Nunez, who gets to the ball first and pokes the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.
Back on level terms!
55th min: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton (Mohamed Salah)
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Southampton lose the ball high up the pitch and Diaz beats Kyle Walker-Peters, and though Ramsdale parries his shot, Smallbone fouls Nunez, leading to Salah converting a penalty into the left side of the net.
The Reds are in front!
88th min: Liverpool 3-1 Southampton (Mohamed Salah)
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Sugawara looks like he intentionally pushes the ball forward in his own box to protect it from Diaz, and the referee awards a penalty following a VAR check before Salah steps up and fires his effort into the top-right corner.
No goalkeeper is saving that!
MAN OF THE MATCH - DARWIN NUNEZ
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Darwin Nunez only played for 68 minutes against Southampton, but he managed to get Liverpool back into the game when he scored an early second-half equaliser.
The striker also won the penalty for the Reds' second goal of the game and was heavily involved defensively, making seven defensive actions.
LIVERPOOL VS. SOUTHAMPTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Liverpool 73%-27% Southampton
Shots: Liverpool 28-6 Southampton
Shots on target: Liverpool 7-4 Southampton
Corners: Liverpool 6-4 Southampton
Fouls: Liverpool 10-8 Southampton
BEST STATS
Mo moves level with Sergio Aguero and is up to fifth in the @premierleague all-time top scorers list 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/sgwFbf1JU8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 8, 2025
Most goals + assists in a 38-game Premier League season:
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 8, 2025
◎ 44 - Theirry Henry (2002/03)
◎ 44 - Erling Haaland (2022/23)
◉ 44 - Mohamed Salah (2024/25)
Mo equals the record. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Zpm6fZtbmY
WHAT NEXT?
Liverpool play the second leg of their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, before taking on Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on March 16.
As for the Saints, they must beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 15 and Crystal Palace on April 2 if they have any ambition of escaping the relegation zone.
Lewis Nolan
