Salah brace sends Liverpool 8 points clear

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points but were forced to come from behind to earn a vital late win at struggling Southampton.

As so often this season, much of Southampton’s good work was undermined by individual errors, with the Reds taking advantage to strengthen their position as leaders before next weekend’s Anfield meeting with reigning champions Manchester City.

Liverpool went ahead after 30 minutes when the hosts were once again caught out passing in their own penalty area, Flynn Downes sending a pass straight to Dominik Szoboszlai, who curled home a classy finish.

Bottom club Southampton’s equaliser just before half-time was the result of rare error from Virgil van Dijk, who lost possession, leaving Andy Robertson to bring down Tyler Dibling. The penalty was awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) check, with Liverpool insistent the offence had occurred just outside the area.

Keeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Adam Armstrong’s spot-kick but the striker pounced to net the rebound.

A shock looked on the cards when Mateus Fernandes crowned a superb move involving Dibling and Armstrong to put Saints in front after 56 minutes but the defensive frailties that have haunted Russell Martin’s men this season returned to change the game in Liverpool’s favour.

Keeper Alex McCarthy gifted Mohamed Salah an equaliser after 65 minutes when he was caught badly out of position trying to collect Ryan Gravenberch’s long ball, before the Egyptian finally sealed his side’s victory seven minutes from time.

Southampton defender Yuki Sugawara needlessly handled in the area and Salah made no mistake with a confident penalty to leave the travelling fans jubilant.