Liverpool 3-1 Southampton: Mo Salah eyes Alan Shearer’s record as Premier League leaders survive scare | OneFootball

Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat has been a hallmark of Liverpool‘s identity during the Jurgen Klopp era, and this was evident in their match against Southampton at Anfield this afternoon.

Klopp has often emphasized the importance of not taking this resilience for granted, and his successor, Arne Slot, who is leading the Reds to their 20th championship, undoubtedly shares this sentiment. In another impressive display of determination, the hosts came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over last-placed Southampton.

Few could have predicted that Southampton, with the league’s weakest attack, would take the lead. However, just before halftime, Liverpool failed to clear their lines, allowing Will Smallbone to score. This marked Southampton’s 20th goal in what has been a dismal return to England’s top division, with Smallbone netting his first of the season.

For the 12th game this season, Liverpool found themselves trailing in a match; only Arsenal (8) and Nottingham Forest (9) have a better record. A stunned Anfield eventually witnessed the men in red come from behind to win a Premier League game for the fourth time.

Previously, they experienced one loss (to Nottingham Forest at home) and drew seven other times after being behind. That said, no team has collected more points (19) from losing positions in this season’s Premier League than the soon-to-be-crowned champions.

The comeback began early in the second half when the much-criticised Darwin Núñez scored from Luis Díaz’s cutback. Just moments later, Smallbone went from hero to zero by fouling Núñez in the penalty box. The league’s most valuable player, Mohamed Salah, didn’t need a second invitation to convert from 12 yards out.

Ivan Jurić and company can’t say they weren’t warned that an early second-half onslaught was coming as Liverpool have now scored 11 goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half; no team has more in English football’s top-flight this season. Smallbone, and then substitute Yukinari Sugawara—who handed in the penalty allowing Salah to score his second from the spot—should also have known better, as the Reds have now won eight penalties in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.

Salah’s efforts were momentous. By netting, he’s either scored or assisted a goal in 13 of Liverpool’s 14 Premier League games at Anfield this season, including each of his last 12 in a row since the Reds’ only league defeat of the season so far against Forest in September.

Only one player has ever had a longer run of goal involvements in home games within a single Premier League season: Alan Shearer twice (13 in 1995–96, 15 in 1996–97). Salah equaled Thierry Henry’s best run (12 in 2002–03) and can match Shearer’s record if he assists or scores against Everton, West Ham, and Tottenham; he could break the record against Arsenal in Liverpool’s penultimate home game of the season.

His overall current Premier League form is irresistible as he’s contributed to goals in his last eight games in the Premier League (nine goals, four assists).

Southampton were dreaming of pulling off the biggest shock of this Premier League season. Taking home a hard-fought point then became their next goal before Salah condemned them to a 23rd loss and one step closer to playing second-tier football. Southampton are 13 points adrift of safety with 10 matches left to play.

A mother of all escape acts is now required, but it is not coming, so they are left to play for pride and ensure they do not finish as one of the worst 20th-placed sides in history. The gap to 19th-place Leicester City is eight points, and the Foxes have a game in hand.

Things could not be any clearer for Liverpool. With nine matches to go, they need six more wins (depending on whether their nearest challengers, Arsenal, win their remaining 11 games) to secure a second Premier League title and their 20th overall, equalling Manchester United’s domestic record.

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