Salah brace helps Liverpool beat Southampton

Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League as the leader survived a scare from lowly Southampton thanks to the Egypt star’s second-half double on Sunday.

Arne Slot’s side had squandered the lead given to them by Dominik Szoboszlai’s second goal this season as Adam Armstrong levelled before the break at St. Mary’s.

Mateus Fernandes put bottom-of-the-table Southampton ahead after the interval before Salah sparred Liverpool’s blushes

Salah coolly netted the equaliser and then held his nerve to stroke home the late penalty that gave him 12 goals in all competitions this season and six in his last five league appearances.

Thanks to Salah’s late heroics, Liverpool has left second-placed Manchester City trailing in its wake after the champions’ dismal 4-0 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday.

Slot has made a remarkable start to his time in charge of the Reds, winning 16 of his first 18 games in all competitions.

The former Feyenoord Manager’s deft touch has established Liverpool as favourites for a first Premier League title since 2020 in his maiden season at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool were below its best against Southampton but the gritty victory was the ideal start to a pivotal period.

The Reds host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday before Manchester City head to Anfield next weekend.

Liverpool has won 10 of its first 12 league matches, with only two previous teams in the competition’s history failing to lift the title after reaching that mark.

On a wet and windy afternoon on the south coast, Liverpool threatened to blow Southampton away as Salah unleashed a curling effort that forced Alex McCarthy into a sprawling save.

Salah volleyed over from Andrew Robertson’s cross and went close again moments later, taking a touch at the far post before drilling a low strike that McCarthy repelled at full-stretch. 

(Agencies)