Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool keep pressure up in CL hunt | OneFootball

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Padraig Whelan·8 May 2021

Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool keep pressure up in CL hunt

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool keep pressure up in CL hunt

Liverpool kept their slim hopes of a top four finish alive with victory over Southampton at Anfield on Sunday night.

This is what we made of it.


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Wretched records end

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool keep pressure up in CL hunt

It hasn’t been a vintage season for Sadio Mané – as evidenced by some of the ghosts he exorcised here.

His goal ended the former Saint’s longest run without a home goal for Liverpool, finally netting again at Anfield after nine without success.

It brings his tally to three at the venue in the league this season, having averaged 11 per campaign in each of his previous full seasons.

It came from a Mo Salah cross and is, incredibly, the first time that duo have combined for a goal in the league this season!

They last did so almost 12 months ago, in June 2020.


Outstanding Alisson

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool keep pressure up in CL hunt

The Liverpool goalkeeper put in the kind of showing here that is evidence of what separates the elite in his position from the rest.

For large spells, his side were in control but still made things difficult for themselves with some very anxious moments at the back.

Luckily, Alisson was on hand to deal with everything that was thrown at him and his brilliant block to keep Ché Adams out proved all the more important when Liverpool took the lead moments later.

Even when he did make a costly slip such as gifting the Scot the ball, he made up for it with a sharp save to preserve his clean sheet and he had some key moments racing out to sweep up the danger too.

His six saves were also the most a Reds ‘keeper has made in a league game since 2013. On a nervy night, his presence was one of the few reassurances for the Reds.


Small Saints positive

Article image:Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool keep pressure up in CL hunt

It wasn’t a nice with much to cheer from a Southampton perspective.

Ché Adams had his chances in front of goal but was thwarted more than once by some smart Alisson goalkeeping.

That said, it was nice to see Michael Obafemi make his long-awaited return from injury for a first appearance since January.

The young striker went under the knife in January due to suffering muscular issues and finally made his comeback.

He’s an exciting talent and although this was only his third outing of the season, it’s good to see him in action again.