Southampton vs Liverpool Player Ratings as Mo Salah made all the difference and gave the Reds 8 points lead

The Premier League is back in full pace and we have started this week with jam-packed action again. After another shock for Manchester City as the Sky Blues endured a 4-0 defeat against Spurs, the League table gave Liverpool the opportunity to have a comfortable lead from the 2nd position. Granted, the Reds have a tough week ahead of them as they face Lost Blancos in a Champions League fixture where they have a score to settle and then face the Sky Blues shortly, Arne Slot and co. I would like to shift focus on the Sunday evening fixture where the Reds travel to face Southampton in St. Mary’s.

Harvey Elliott was a massive boost for the Merseyside Reds before the fixture. While Becker’s news gave an injury boost to the fans too, it was clear that he would not start the game in the evening. Moreover, there was news about Federico Chiesa’s progress as well on the weekend. While the Reds were worried about the International fixture, none of the players came injured, and most importantly, the big names in the squad like Mo Salah got some rest from the jampacked fixtures of club competitions in this break.

Plus, Liverpool finished rather well before the International Break where Salah and Nunez made sure that they are 5 points clear in the table. On the other hand, while Southampton were all smiles after their fixture against the Toffees, the results against the Wolves was not something that was easy to digest.

Prior to the match, we had news about many big names missing. While the Reds had the upper hand, if there is one thing constant about this season, it is the fact that anything can happen in the blink of an eye.

The match started rather slow with Liverpool being quick to get back the ball once they were losing it. Mo had a couple of half chances and had almost 6 touches in the box before the 20th minute. A sloppy mistake from Southampton sees the first goal from Liverpool’s very own Szoboszlai. The score remained 1-1 by the end of the half.

The second half started slow but Fernandes gave a lesson to the Reds for taking the game not seriously. He gave the home team the lead after being assisted by Armstrong. However, that was short-lived as Mo Salah equalized from a great Gravenberch delivery. Mo Salah doubled up his goal as Liverpool were awarded a penalty late in the game. That sealed the deal as Liverpool are now 8 points clear from the second position.

Southampton Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Goalkeeper

McCarthy (4.5/10)

Couldn’t save the Szoboszlai goal after the Hungarian was gifted the opportunity due to a defensive error.

Defenders

Walker-Peters (5/10)

Average performance from the right back. Looked nervous because of the Liverpool press.

Harwood-Bellis (4.5/10)

Was not the only guilty party for Southampton’s horrible defense today.

Stephens (4.5/10)

Busy game for the center back. Tried his best to fend off the Liverpool forwards.

Fraser (5/10)

Had a below-average match. Got subbed off in the second half.

Midfielders

Dibling (4.5/10)

The idea was not to have control over the Liverpool midfield. But the Southampton midfielder failed to keep composure.

Downes (5/10)

Made the sloppy mistake in the first half that led to the first goal of the match as Dominic Szoboszlai converted.

Lallana (5.5/10)

Looked great against his ex-team. However, got substituted later.

Fernandes (6/10)

Scored the second goal after Armstrong made the assist when Southampton broke through from Liverpool pressing.

Forwards

Onuachu (5.5/10)

Picked up an injury and got subbed off. Was not as much involved as he would have hoped.

Armstrong (6/10)

The home team was a penalty awarded after Robbo’s foul outside the box. Almost fumbled it as Kelleher saved it but scored it in the rebound. Made an assist for Southampton’s second goal. Got subbed off later.

Substitutions

Joe Aribo (5/10)

Came in the second half. Was not much impactful in the game.

Ugochukwu (5.5/10)

Made some good runs with the ball but no end product.

Archer (4/10)

Came in late in the game.

Sugawara (4/10)

Waited for his chance. Came in late along with Archer. Conceded the penalty.

Manager

Russel Martin (4/10)

Was very irritated by his players’ sloppy plays that awarded Liverpool the first goal and many chances.

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Liverpool Player Ratings vs Southampton

Goalkeeper

Kelleher (6/10)

He had a rather easy game. Saved the spot-kick from Armstrong but it was rebounded by the Southampton forward.

Defenders

Robertson (5.5/10)

He was poor with his attacks. Had to take one for the team as he gave a foul which was first thought right outside the box and was first whistled for a penalty. But it was given a penalty after a check.

Van Dijk (6.5/10)

A solid display from the Dutch and Liverpool captain. Stood his ground with the ref as he didn’t stop the play when Nunez had a head injury. While the Premier League refereeing has been nothing but lousy, the Scousers adore their captain who takes things in his hand when it is needed. However, the Dutchman wouldn’t be proud of this game

Konate (6/10)

Picked up an unnecessary yellow card in the first half. Played the rest of the half rather well.

Bradley (5.5/10)

Started the game in the absence of Trent. Like Konate, he picked up an unnecessary yellow card early in the game. Good with making flanks behind Salah from time to time.

Midfielders

Jones (5.5/10)

Almost invisible in the first half. Got subbed of in the second half when Liverpool was behind.

Gravenberch (6/10)

Average performance for the Dutch International. Assisted the equalizer with a great ball. which Salah finished quickly.

Szoboszlai (6.5/10)

Scored the first goal after given a gift from the Southampton defense.

Forwards

Salah (8.5/10)

Missed a couple of half chances in the first half. 64th minute, Gravenberch’s ball was over the top and the inevitable happened. Mo Salah scored! Converted the spot kick as Liverpool was awarded a penalty. Almost got his hat trick but hammered it in the right bar.

Gakpo (6/10)

Busy game for the Dutchman. Poor deliveries throughout the game and was eventually subbed off for Diaz.

Nunez (6/10)

Looked sharp throughout the game. Almost gave a great assist to Luis Diaz. Got subbed off. His off the ball contributions were unmatched in the match.

Substitutions

MacAlister (5/10)

Came in when Liverpool was struggling. Contributed to better midfield control from the Reds.

Diaz (5/10)

Came in for Gakpo and almost equalized right away.

Wataru Endo (4/10)

Came in to see the game off. Almost playing the role of James Milner these days.

Manager

Arne Slot (7/10)

Was the happiest manager in the game. While he would have preferred a clean sheet, he would take the win happily.

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