In a match packed with drama and contention, Liverpool emerged victorious over Southampton with a 3-1 win on Saturday, pushing them 16 points ahead of Arsenal. Despite a rocky start and a controversial goal, the Reds, under the strategic leadership of Arne Slot, turned the game around in a thrilling second half display.
The first half of the match was a challenging one for Liverpool, with the Saints’ Smallbone putting his team ahead just before the interval. This unexpected blow resulted in a rather heated half-time team talk from Slot, which seemed to reignite Liverpool’s fighting spirit for the second half.
The Reds’ comeback began with a 51st minute equalizer from Darwin Nunez, followed swiftly by a brace from Mo Salah. Nunez’s goal set the stage for the turnaround, and Salah’s penalty four minutes later put Liverpool ahead. Salah then cemented the victory with another penalty in the 88th minute.
However, the match wasn’t without controversy. Former referee Mike Dean raised questions about the VAR decision to allow Southampton’s opening goal. According to Dean, Smallbone was in an offside position during the confusion between Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson and defender Van Dijk.
In a review of the replay, it was observed that Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes was indeed the last to touch the ball before it reached Smallbone, who was offside at the time. Despite this, VAR referee Matt Donohue missed the call, allowing the goal to stand.
Dean shared his concerns on Sky Sports, saying, “I’m just worried about the goal. They’ve obviously checked it with VAR, but I’ve looked at it three or four times, I’m convinced it is offside.”
With this win, Liverpool’s path to Premier League glory seems increasingly clear. The Reds lead the table by a comfortable 15 points, even with an extra game under their belt. Even if they were to lose four of their remaining nine matches, they would still clinch the title on goal difference, assuming Arsenal manages a winning streak in every game for the rest of the season.
That being said, Liverpool still has big games ahead against Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham. While their current position might seem secure, Arne Slot and his team know that in football, complacency is the enemy of success.