In horrible, rain soaked conditions, Liverpool left Southampton with three points (0-2) at St Mary’s and are now crucially just two points off the top four. The home side no doubt feel hard done by to not have been awarded a single penalty in a game that presented multiple opportunities for referee Kevin Friend to point to the spot. Yet the Reds found a way to capitalise on their chances and secure the win. It was the fourth victory on the spin in all competitions and illustrates just how far the club has come since the opening of this season.
Here are four findings from today’s match.
Not the same Simon – It has been chronicled at length, but Simon Mignolet simply is not the same keeper he once was. Since returning as a starter, whether his fiancé deserves credit or not, the Belgian keeper continues to turnout assured, commanding performances and racking up the clean sheets. While this match did not provide the same tests that some previous outings did, old Mignolet would never have even attempted to attack a ball at the edge of the area like he did in this match. It was a bold, risky decision, one that could have easily cost him an extended stretch of suspension, but he showed no hesitation in impersonating Manuel Neuer and sweeping up a very dangerous chance while covering for his defence.
Manager in form too – While the players have improved dramatically, Brendan Rodgers deserves enormous credit for finding a way to get Liverpool firing again. The Merseyside manager fashioned a system to get the most out of the available personnel and continues to find ways of rotating a squad that still lacks some depth. Struggling players and injuries have complicated things and threatened to disrupt the balance of the new system. However, Rodgers continues to find a way to enable this team to get results, even in games where they are clearly not at their best. Today was no exception. Again, substitutions made a difference in securing the win. They may not have led directly to the second goal but they addressed areas of need which kept the Saints at bay.
Better to be lucky – In the first half of the season, Liverpool looked as though they had permanently lost Lady Luck’s number. The ball rarely bounced their way. They seemed unable to get that “Wee bit of luck,” Rodgers frequently mentioned in press conferences. However, at St Mary’s they benefitted greatly. Be it avoiding multiple potential penalty claims or benefitting from two successive Southampton defensive mistakes that led to a goal, it was always unlikely that Philippe Coutinho’s sublime strike was going to be the only strike, especially given conditions and this not being the Red’s most outstanding performance. Yet, Raheem Sterling pounced on Saints’ mistakes for the second goal, with a deflected shot finding its way to the net, putting the match out of reach. Sometimes it is better to be lucky.
Belief abounds – This starting eleven was missing Daniel Sturridge, Mamadou Sakho, and Lucas Leiva, key players at every level on the pitch. Add to that the difficulty Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana had imposing themselves on this match, it is remarkable just how well the Reds managed. At this point, Markovic and Jordan Ibe make a better wingback tandem on paper than on the pitch. Even Lallana can be excused for struggling in this one. Again, earlier in the season, it seemed like the side was always carrying someone and playing with a man down. Now, even with the starting eleven warranting changes, Liverpool have a newfound confidence and energy that continues to carry them forward. More and more the Reds arrive on match day with a “We are Liverpool, and we are going to beat you no matter what” mentality. May it continue.
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