Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 16 points as Mohamed Salah scored two penalties to help his team secure a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory against Southampton at Anfield on March 8, 2025.
The match was expected to be relatively straightforward for Liverpool, who faced the league's bottom team, Southampton, but it proved to be more challenging than anticipated. The visitors surprised the home crowd by taking the lead through Will Smallbone just before halftime, capitalizing on a mix-up between Liverpool defenders Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Liverpool, under manager Arne Slot—who was serving a touchline ban and watched from the stands—struggled to find their rhythm during the first half. Despite their dominant status, they allowed Southampton to create confidence and disrupt their game plan. "The manager was like going for us - but that's something you need sometimes. Because the first half, the game was sloppy," Salah admitted after the match.
Immediately following the interval, Slot made bold tactical adjustments by substituting three players, bringing on Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott to shake things up. These changes proved to have the desired effect as the team's energy levels surged.
Within minutes of the second half, Darwin Nunez found the equalizer with a sharp finish from Luis Diaz's cross. Nunez's effort not only leveled the score but also ignited Liverpool’s momentum. Three minutes later, he was fouled inside the penalty area, allowing Salah to step up and take the lead for Liverpool with his first penalty of the match.
Southampton's defense stumbled again when Yukinari Sugawara, who had just been substituted onto the field, handled the ball late on, granting Salah another opportunity from the spot. He coolly slotted home, securing the victory and bringing his season total to 32 goals—an impressive feat contributing to his record as one of Liverpool's top scorers.
With this win, Liverpool solidified its place at the Premier League summit, remaining unbeaten over the last 25 league matches. The team now sits significantly clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand but need to confront formidable opponents like Manchester United and Chelsea soon. "I didn’t give them compliments at half-time, I can tell you," Slot stated, underscoring the necessity for his players to step up their game to match their ambitious title aspirations.
Southampton, who have now garnered just nine points from 28 games this season, showed moments of promise, especially during the first half. Juric emphasized after the match how well the team reacted initially, expressing disappointment over the penalties awarded against them. "They reacted really well. We had really good moments of the first half. I think the [first] penalty was not a penalty, and it changed the match," he remarked.
The loss marks another painful chapter for Southampton, reflecting the difficulty of their current season. Despite the setback, there were flashes of good play, and the players will need to build on this as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.
Liverpool’s next league game is not until April 2 where they will face their local rivals, Everton, but they have significant challenges on the horizon, including the second leg of their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain and the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United. This victory against Southampton serves as momentum for what is shaping up to be a historic season for the club.
With their eyes fixed not just on adding to their title collection but also on restoring their glory as kings of English football, this win is more than just three points; it’s a significant step forward on all fronts. Liverpool has won 19 league titles but aims to tie with Manchester United, holding the record for the most English league titles, which adds weight to this current campaign.
Despite the initial struggles, Slot's management seems to steer the team on the right path, evidenced by moments of excellence showcased by star players like Salah and Nunez, both integral to the team's success and future endeavors this season.