Liverpool leapfrog Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League table, after a vital win against a talented Southampton side. They are now unbeaten in the league since December.
Southampton 0-3 Liverpool
Premier League / St Mary’s Stadium / Saturday, 1st March 2014
Goals: Suarez (16), Sterling (58), Gerrard pen (90)
The Reds made one change from the side that beat Swansea 4-3 last weekend, with Joe Allen replacing Raheem Sterling to bring more balance to the midfield.
A good start to the game from Brendan Rodgers’ side was made even better in the 16th minute, as Luis Suarez pounced on Jose Fonte’s error, finishing superbly in the process. It was the 27-year-old’s first goal since the Merseyside derby victory over Everton, but his 24th of a remarkable season.
As the half wore on, however, Southampton began to dominate proceedings. Adam Lallana hit the post, Morgan Schneiderlin fired over and Simon Mignolet made a terrific stop to deny Jay Rodriguez.
As the two sides left the pitch at the break, it was hard to argue that the Reds were fortunate to be ahead.
The second-half was far more convincing from Liverpool, and they extinguished the lingering threat of the hosts after 58 minutes. Raheem Sterling, brought on just a couple of minutes earlier, was found by Suarez, and the 19-year-old side-footed the ball home for this sixth league goal of the campaign.
The Reds dominated the final 30 minutes, with Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson both wasting good opportunities to put the icing on the cake.
That was left to Steven Gerrard, who dispatched a stoppage time penalty after the superb Suarez was fouled by Calum Chambers. It wasn’t Liverpool’s finest display of the season, but a resolute defensive display, coupled with some trademark attacking flair, got the job done.
The win not only enhances Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations hugely, it also keeps their dreams of a first league title since 1990 very much alive. They can’t, can they?
Man of the Match: Luis Suarez
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan, Gerrard (c), Henderson, Allen, Coutinho (Sterling 56), Sturridge (Aspas 84), Suarez
Subs not used: Jones, Toure, Cissokho, Moses, Teixeira
Southampton: Boruc, Chambers, Lovren, Fonte, Shaw, Cork (Wanyama 75), Schneiderlin, Davis (Ramirez 46), Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert (Gallagher 75)
Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Yoshida, Ward-Prowse
Referee: Lee Probert
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