LIVERPOOL saw off Southampton to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
- Final score: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
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That’s all from us tonight as Liverpool sealed a 2-0 home win over Southampton to keep their top four hopes alive.
Sadio Mane headed the hosts in front in the first half before Thiago Alcantara’s first goal for the club sealed the three points in the 90th minute.
It leaves the Reds six points off the top four with twelve points left to play for and a game in hand on sixth placed Leicester.
Southampton threatened throughout though and will feel unlucky not to come away with a point after Alisson was forced into make some big saves to deny Che Adams.
His six saves this evening are the most he’s made in a Premier League game for Liverpool.
Next up for the Reds is a HUGE clash against Manchester United on Thursday night, while Southampton host Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
That’s all for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
RALPH’S REACTION
Here are the full time thoughts of Saints boss Ralph Hasenuttl:
“I think we had maybe the bigger chances today because we had a few one against one, the biggest for Che Adams at the end where we can’t make the equaliser.
“But if we cannot score, we cannot win and this was the difference today.
“I think we showed some good, great football today and kept the game open until the overtime and then we conceded the second goal.
“But until that moment I had almost the feeling we could score but yeah when you don’t take the chances it’s difficult.”
JURGEN’S ANALYSIS
Here’s what Jurgen Klopp has to say on whether a win in Liverpool’s last four games would be enough to finish in the top four:
“Yeah if we do that I think it would be enough.
“But it’s a big if.
“We play on Thursday [against] Manchester United.
“I know they play Tuesday, Sunday, Tuesday but if you look at the squad they have they can make changes, no doubt about that.”
FIRST ASSIST
In case you missed this stat earlier here’s a reminder.
Sadio Mane’s goal tonight is the FIRST time he and Mo Salah have combined to score in almost eleven months.
PITCH VIEW
Here’s a look at Thiago’s goal through the eyes of the Spanish midfielder.
Thoughts on this new camera angle?
ANDY’S ANALYSIS
Here are the full time thoughts of Liverpool left back Andy Robertson:
“I thought it was a good performance.
“When you’re in this kind of run of form, we’ve conceded two late goals in the last couple of games and it’s about grinding out results that’s what it’s about.
“But I thought the performance today for the most part was really good.
“Of course we conceded a couple of chances which were avoidable.
“Luckily Alisson made two top saves for us but we created ourselves.
“We kept the ball really well, we controlled the match which is tough against a team like Southampton and I thought we were well deserved of the three points.
“In this kind of crucial part of the season it’s a big three points and we need to use it now.
“We’ve got four big games now we just need to keep pushing the people above us and let’s see where it ends up.”
FULL TIME STATS
Here’s a look at the full time stats from Anfield.
Both sides managed six shots on target but Alisson was on hand to make six crucial saves to deny the Saints.
It’s the most he has made in any of his 96 Premier League appearances for the Reds.
CELEBRATIONS
Jurgen Klopp congratulates his players at full time after a hard fought three points against Southampton.
Credit: AFP Credit: EPA SAINTS STANDINGS
Here’s how the Premier League table looks from Southampton’s point of view.
The Saints still aren’t mathematically safe but have a ten point cushion over Fulham with twelve points left to play for.
THIAGO TALKS
Here are the full time thoughts of Thiago on Liverpool’s top four hopes:
“We are for sure not happy with the situation we are in now but for the mood [and] for the confidence for the next game we are very happy with the win.
“It’s always a great moment to score and also to help the team but as I said we have to keep fighting to the end to have this small chance [Champions League qualification].”
AS IT STANDS
Here’s what that result means for the top four race.
Liverpool are now six points off the pace with four games left to play.
They also have a game in hand over fourth placed Leicester.
WINNER
Thiago Alcantara’s 90th minute strike effectively sealed the three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It’s his first goal for the club since his move from Bayern Munich in September.
Credit: PA Credit: PA FT: LIVERPOOL 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON
So Liverpool get the job done at Anfield – just.
Sadio Mane’s first half header and Thiago’s 90th minute strike mean the Reds are still in the hunt for the top four.
Southampton meanwhile stay ten points clear of the drop zone and are still not yet mathematically safe.
However with just twelve points left to play for it would take something monumental for them to go down.
PEEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL TIME!
A MASSIVE THREE POINTS FOR LIVERPOOL!
LIVERPOOL 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON
93. That goal is absolutely ENORMOUS in Liverpool’s quest for the top four.
Southampton looked the more likely of the two sides to score the second goal but Thiago’s caressed finish keeps Liverpool in the hunt for the top four.
LIVERPOOL 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON
91. A HUGE sigh of relief for Jurgen Klopp.
Thiago picks the ball up on the edge of the Southampton box.
His touch takes the ball past Armstrong before he passes the ball into the bottom corner past the outstretched arm of Fraser Forster.
Lovely goal!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLL!
THIAGO WRAPS UP THE THREE POINTS FOR LIVERPOOL!
THAT’S A LOVELY FINISH!
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
88. Two minutes left of normal time to play at Anfield.
Andy Robertson plays a hit and hope cross into the box that sails over the head of everyone and goes out for a Southampton throw in.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
86. Liverpool substitution.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is coming on for the final four minutes.
He replaces Mo Salah.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
85. Southampton are seeing all of the ball here.
Liverpool don’t look all too confident at the back and the game has the same feel as the Newcastle game two weeks ago.
A Southampton goal seems almost inevitable.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
83. Ward-Prowse whips a dangerous first time ball into the box that Nat Phillips does well to head away in front of the waiting Obafemi.
The Saints are continuing to threaten…
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
81. GOAL DISALLOWED!
Sadio Mane has the ball in the back of the net after volleying home but the flag is up for offside.
He’s absolutely miles offside!
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
80. Liverpool corner.
Roberto Firmino is involved straight away.
He picks the ball up in the Southampton half and drives forward.
He plays it into the path of Salah in the box but he can’t quite get a shot away.
His effort is blocked behind for a corner.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
79. Substitutions.
Moussa Djenepo is on for Che Adams and Roberto Firmino is on for Diogo Jota.
Ten minutes left to play at Anfield.
LIVERPOOL 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
78. Fabinho floats a ball into the path of Salah on the right.
He cuts the ball across goal into the path of Jota who has time to get a shot away.
His effort is scuffed though, skewing off the outside of his boot and out for a goal kick.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
