In a match where Liverpool may not have played at their best, the scoreline clearly flattered the home side. The Reds counterattacked with breathtaking pace to punch out Southampton 2-0 at St Mary’s Stadium.
In what looks like a tactical trend, the Reds seem increasingly content with allowing their opponent to have the ball. Home against Spurs and away to Southampton, Liverpool have played much more like an away side of late. There has been patience without the ball coupled with an renewed appetite for pressing at precise moments.
With the ball, the Reds spring forward with breakneck urgency and an eye for more edge in front of goal. While the first half saw Liverpool operating with far more precision, the result was never in doubt before or after the break. Despite Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah sharing spoils of a goal and an assist each, the Reds really should have punished the Saints with even more ruthlessness than was required for this result. Still, if chances had been taken this could and should have been a hammering.
Given that a key Champions League match awaits the club midweek, a professional, comfortable victory was more than welcome. Liverpool returned to third in the table, two points behind Manchester United and two points ahead of Spurs. In a weekend where Liverpool needed a result, they cruised to one and should have legs for a European encounter.
Here are four findings from the match.
Dynamic Duo
Between the two, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino have tallied 49 goals in all competitions for the Reds. In fact, Firmino has found Salah more times than any other pairing for the club this campaign. Against Southampton they each did a turn as provider and finisher for two lovely goals.
The Brazilian continues to feature as the fulcrum for this Liverpool side. He has now scored more goals than any previous Premier League season but his back-heel flick through to Salah will be all anyone talks about from this contest.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian cruised to his 22nd league goal and 29th for the season so far. To say that he has been a revelation since joining the Reds is the height of understatement. He remains almost unplayable at times. To think, he can be even more clinical, as he still manages to miss occasional gilt-edged chances.
Karius Capitalising
Despite last week’s result, Loris Karius put in a strong performance. That fact probably faded amidst the consternation and controversy. He followed it up with yet another solid outing, making saves he is expected to make but also showing an aggressiveness that his counterpart has always lacked. The young German looks ready to grab every opportunity to secure a spot for the long term.
Apart from solid shot stopping, Karius can kickstart counterattacks with superb skill. His distribution may not be perfect but it offers an added dimension. On the first goal, he got the ball out so quickly the Reds nearly bypassed the midfield entirely, a tactic being employed with greater regularity, and put the Saints desperately on their heels before conceding. He still must earn more confidence but a clean sheet can do nothing but help prove his doubters wrong.
Van Dijk’s View
Returning to the stadium that saw him rise to one of the best defenders in the Premier League, Virgil van Dijk endured boos with a cool assurance and a wry grin. The Dutchman oozed class as he commanded the Reds’ backline and diffused his old club’s confidence. It may have taken more time than expected but the centre-half notched his first league win with his new side.
He may not be the remedy for all Liverpool’s defensive deficiencies but the record signing provides performances that make everyone around him calmer and cooler. It should be no surprise that his arrival also combined with a goalkeeper switch. The side is playing with far greater confidence and even working to see games out with greater tactical flexibility and nous.
Southampton Social
Is it any wonder why Southampton felt so aggrieved by Liverpool’s summer’s striving to sign yet another one of their players? The Reds have essentially raided the south coast club, strip-mining it of many of its best players over the last few years. There may be a pecking order in football but Saints have practically served as an academy for the Reds. As a young lad’s sign declared, “Born to play for Southampton…then be sold to Liverpool.”
By the final whistle, Liverpool dispatched five players that have suited up as Saints. For two seasons in a row the Reds have now plucked Southampton’s best player in Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mané. It is not even the first time either, having previously taken Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne (although the fullback remains injured and did not feature). Add Dejan Lovren and no one can be surprised by any abuse hurled at a visiting Liverpool side. Even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain once played for the club before joining Arsenal, prior to arriving on Merseyside.