A calamitous capitulation befell Liverpool at St. Mary’s as the Reds squandered a 2-0 half-time lead, surrendering three unanswered goals in the second half to lose 3-2. Liverpool will rue countless chances to put this one out of reach.
For a stretch in the first half, it looked like the Reds could score every time they attacked. Breaking forward with pace and numbers, they peppered Southampton with 11 shots in the first 30 minutes alone. Yet, misses proved costly.
Once the second half began, Liverpool could not get out of their own way, manufacturing problems for themselves at a startling rate. From the moment substitute Martin Skrtel was called into action, all the quality they enjoyed quickly came undone.
Liverpool created no shortage of chances in the first half alone, but there were opportunities to get clear in the second, as well. When it was all done and dusted, Joe Allen, Emre Can, and Christian Benteke all missed gilt-edged chances to finish off the Saints and secure the three points.
Instead, the Reds turned a sure victory into a study in the lack of ruthlessness. Unfortunately, this match didn’t just slip away. It shattered.
Here are four findings from the match.
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