Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat has been a trademark of ‘s identification through the Jurgen Klopp period, and this was evident of their match in opposition to at Anfield this afternoon.
Klopp has usually emphasised the significance of not taking this resilience as a right, and his successor, Arne Slot, who’s main the Reds to their Twentieth championship, undoubtedly shares this sentiment. In one other spectacular show of willpower, the hosts got here from behind to safe a 3-1 victory over last-placed Southampton.
Few may have predicted that Southampton, with the league’s weakest assault, would take the lead. Nevertheless, simply earlier than halftime, Liverpool didn’t clear their strains, permitting Will Smallbone to attain. This marked Southampton’s Twentieth objective in what has been a dismal return to England’s prime division, with Smallbone netting his first of the season.
For the twelfth recreation this season, Liverpool discovered themselves trailing in a match; solely Arsenal (8) and Nottingham Forest (9) have a greater file. A shocked Anfield ultimately witnessed the lads in pink come from behind to win a Premier League recreation for the fourth time.
Beforehand, they skilled one loss (to Nottingham Forest at dwelling) and drew seven different occasions after being behind. That stated, no group has collected extra factors (19) from shedding positions on this season’s Premier League than the soon-to-be-crowned champions.
The comeback started early within the second half when the much-criticised Darwin Núñez scored from Luis Díaz’s cutback. Simply moments later, Smallbone went from hero to zero by fouling Núñez within the penalty field. The league’s most respected participant, Mohamed Salah, didn’t want a second invitation to transform from 12 yards out.
Ivan Jurić and firm can’t say they weren’t warned that an early second-half onslaught was coming as Liverpool have now scored 11 targets within the first quarter-hour of the second half; no group has extra in English soccer’s top-flight this season. Smallbone, after which substitute Yukinari Sugawara—who handed within the penalty permitting Salah to attain his second from the spot—also needs to have recognized higher, because the Reds have now received eight penalties within the Premier League this season, greater than another group.
Most targets + assists in a 38-game Premier League season:
◎ 44 – Theirry Henry (2002/03)◎ 44 – Erling Haaland (2022/23)◉ 44 – Mohamed Salah (2024/25)
Mo equals the file. 🙌
Salah’s efforts had been momentous. By netting, he’s both scored or assisted a objective in 13 of Liverpool’s 14 Premier League video games at Anfield this season, together with every of his final 12 in a row for the reason that Reds’ solely league defeat of the season up to now in opposition to Forest in September.
Just one participant has ever had an extended run of objective involvements in dwelling video games inside a single Premier League season: Alan Shearer twice (13 in 1995–96, 15 in 1996–97). Salah equaled Thierry Henry’s finest run (12 in 2002–03) and may match Shearer’s file if he assists or scores in opposition to Everton, West Ham, and Tottenham; he may break the file in opposition to Arsenal in Liverpool’s penultimate dwelling recreation of the season.
His total present Premier League kind is irresistible as he’s contributed to targets in his final eight video games within the Premier League (9 targets, 4 assists).
Southampton had been dreaming of pulling off the most important shock of this Premier League season. Taking dwelling a hard-fought level then turned their subsequent objective earlier than Salah condemned them to a twenty third loss and one step nearer to enjoying second-tier soccer. Southampton are 13 factors adrift of security with 10 matches left to play.
A mom of all escape acts is now required, however it’s not coming, so they’re left to play for pleasure and guarantee they don’t end as one of many worst Twentieth-placed sides in historical past. The hole to Nineteenth-place Leicester Metropolis is eight factors, and the Foxes have a recreation in hand.
Issues couldn’t be any clearer for Liverpool. With 9 matches to go, they want six extra wins (relying on whether or not their nearest challengers, Arsenal, win their remaining 11 video games) to safe a second Premier League title and their Twentieth total, equalling Manchester United’s home file.
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