LIVERPOOL ENHANCED THEIR UEFA Champions League qualification prospects with a 2-0 Premier League win at Southampton.
Philippe Coutinho scored a magnificent long-range opener amid a frantic start when the home team had a pair of strong penalty appeals turned down.
Southampton enjoyed sustained periods of pressure, but Liverpool’s defence managed to hold firm, leaving Raheem Sterling to double their advantage in the 73rd minute.
The result moves Liverpool, unbeaten in the league since mid-December, up to sixth in the table – a point behind their opponents and two shy of Manchester United in fourth.
Filip Djuricic was handed a first start in attack for Southampton, who welcomed back left-back Matt Targett and midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
A hip injury to Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho meant Dejan Lovren joined Adam Lallana in starting against his former club, while Sterling replaced Daniel Sturridge.
Djuricic was immediately into the action, going down under pressure from Emre Can in the penalty area after 20 seconds, but referee Kevin Friend was unmoved.
Liverpool responded to that uncertain opening by stylishly grabbing a third-minute lead when Lazar Markovic fed the ball to Coutinho, who netted superbly from 30 yards via the underside of the crossbar.
http://vine.co/v/OQvwZt0UzF5
There was more frustration for Southampton as another challenge on Djuricic inside the box, this time from Joe Allen, went unpunished and Simon Mignolet made a fine save when the loose ball broke to Eljero Elia.
Friend provoked further ire from the home support two minutes before half-time when Mignolet charged down Elia’s effort on the end of a long punt forward from marginally outside his area and was not punished for handball.
The Belgium goalkeeper then beat away a Djuricic strike to ensure Liverpool’s advantage remained intact at half-time.
Having seen his defence under sustained pressure, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers sent on Alberto Moreno in place of Markovic at left wing-back, while Morgan Schneiderlin replaced Steven Davis for Southampton.
Graziano Pelle scuffed wide from 20 yards following a slick passing move as the hosts remained on the front foot.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman introduced Sadio Mane in place of Ward-Prowse and the forward had a shot on the turn blocked by Martin Skrtel as the hour approached.
Sturridge bolstered the Liverpool attack in place of Lallana and some wonderful skill from the England man beat Jose Fonte before he failed to get a shot away.
Rodgers’ men sealed the points when Targett lost his footing in trying to clear Moreno’s low cross and Fraser Forster could only touch Sterling’s firm low strike into the net.
In the closing minutes, Sturridge twice came close to getting his name on the scoresheet as Southampton absorbed their latest setback in a run of one win in four league outings – scoring a solitary goal during this time.
It’s a sign of the times we live in .
That person with the sign should be arrested for assault
@thomas walsh: Assault?
@Thomas O’ Donnell: they hit the rider with a sign causing injuries. That’s assault
@thomas walsh: bit dramatic. From the footage I saw, woman holding sign (stagnant and made of cardboard) and looking the opposite direction, into which the rider cycled.
@Kevin Norris: she was at a bike race and caused a crash…because of her being a spanner…fair play to tour of france..people should be accounable for their actions….
@Kevin Norris: you left out the bit where she was on the road and the only path for the rider was straight ahead.
@Kevin Norris: she was completely reckless and only thinking of herself. People were injured because of her selfishness. She should pay the price
@Kevin Bury: i was commenting on whether I would describe it as assault or not.
@Dave O Keeffe: again – assault?
@thomas walsh: again – assault?
@Kevin Bury: don’t know much about French law but what could charge her with?
Assault Battery Negligence or what?
@Kevin Bury: don’t know much about French law but what could you charge her with?
Assault Battery Negligence or what?
@Kevin Norris: yes assault here in irelamd anyway
a person shall be guilty of the offence of assault who, without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly—
(a) directly or indirectly applies force to or causes an impact on the body of another, or
Reckless would cover it
@Kevin Norris: yes did I stutter? Assault. Where people not injured? Did she cause these injuries? That my friend is assault
@thomas walsh: sorry but the video is quite clear. She was standing on the road and the cyclist crashed into her? Cyclist should have avoided her
@seanieP: sure that’s so ambiguous it could mean that the woman involved could sue the cyclist, standing on a public road, if they want to sue then the roads should be closed to the public.
@guineon: ah come on now. There was a race she was well aware of happening and shouldn’t be in the road. It’s her recklessness.
Would you apply the same logic if someone popped out in front of usain bolt with a sign on the track mid pelt and he ran into them. Bolts fault I guess….. he should have just hurdled her.
@Mark Sheehan: what’s ambiguous? The definition of assault?
Was the the cause of impact intentional or reckless by the cyclist ? I never made comment on whether someone should be sued. I chimed in over a debate on assault.
@Mark Sheehan: also do all public roads need to be physically closed off to pedestrians.
Regardless of a race or not should people be standing in them wether or not they are ‘public’? The m50 is a public road sure go stand on that with a sign. Might try and sue the motorist if survive.
@thomas walsh: typical social media two babies having a fight lol
@guineon: how, the only path he could take was straight ahead as seen by the fact that when he went a few inches to the left he collided with other cyclists. Other cyclists that were meant to be there i might add.
Sue her for the millions she has…..some chance
Whatever the sign said it should be tattooed on her forehead
@Anthony Doyle: it’s says “Go Grandma and Grandpa”