LIVERPOOL maintained their relentless march towards a first Premier League title as a 4-0 home win over Southampton sent them 22 points clear at the top.
The scoreline flattered Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Saints giving at least as good as they got for much of the game.
Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Liverpool the lead against his former clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Jordan Henderson turned home for the Reds’ secondCredit: Reuters
The clinical Reds, however, showed their ruthless streak in the second half to rack up a 16th straight league win.
Southampton had seen shouts for a penalty waved away after Danny Ings felt that he’d been brought down in the penalty area at the beginning of the second 45.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was then on hand to break the deadlock moments later in the 47th minute, cutting in from the left and firing home from the edge of the area.
Jordan Henderson then doubled the Reds’ lead on the hour with a first-time finish before setting Mohamed Salah up to dink the third over goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
The Egyptian was then on hand to bundle home a fourth in the closing stages.
With second-placed Manchester City taking on Tottenham on Sunday, the Reds’ 24th win from 25 games widened the yawning chasm between the two sides even further.
Firmino was the provider for Henderson’s strikeCredit: PA:Press Association
Danny Ings thought hed been fouled in the box before Liverpools openerCredit: Reuters
The triumph was Liverpool’s 20th in a row in the Premier League at Anfield.
And only the Reds themselves, under Bill Shankly in 1972, have ever had a longer streak than that in top flight history.
While Liverpool’s kids will take on Shrewsbury in their FA Cup fourth round replay at Anfield on Tuesday night, their first-team players will now have a fortnight’s rest before resuming their title march.
Liverpool can afford to lose SIX games and still win title… but the idea makes Jurgen Klopp want to vomit
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
