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.
Jamie Carragher with a great stat post-game “Under BR’s reign, Liverpool have only lost 4 league games after January”. Christ if only we could turn it on from August we’d be title challengers every year.
Some goal from couthino,he’s getting better and better,starting to remind me of Silva at city and that’s some praise.
Rodgers in lol!!!!
They look good for the CL spot
Don’t jinx it man…. They probably will still miss out but they are giving them selves a chance. The Europa league could be plan B
smashing goal stonewall penalty for Southampton, liverpool all over the place at the back but a wins a win.
“All over the place at the back”,don’t know what game you were watching!!Skrtel man of the match!!
Some said before Xmas that Liverpool didn’t have a hope of winning the Europa league….. Surely they should be one of the favourites to win it now, would You agree?
besiktas will be tough on Thursday first goal in the game is massive liverpool get it then it’s game over they get and it could be a long night.
NO !
That’s great Fran, too bad No one cares what you think. How did United get on this weekend? LVG in lol.
@ Luke
The only sense Fran had is senseless.
Liverpool now doing what UTD have been doing for weeks , playing bad but getting results
They got outplayed today, not played bad, and recent weeks they have clearly been the better side…. Not sure what you have been watching…..
Yes ur right there are only two good teams, Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves
Southampton played Liverpool off the park today and should have had a penalty in the first minute. Their football was top class and they lacked a decent CF.
Coutinho is a world class player and his goal was outstanding, playing poorly but getting results.
Sound familiar?
Did I ever disagree with you graham? Utd are in the same boat so I’m hardly likely to disagree with you. I’m sure your sidekick Luke will be on shortly to back you up.
Not meaning to be smart, but Liverpool and Man U seem to have gone through similar spells since last season…. Liverpool had a great run that almost got them over the line…. Man U had a great run this season…. Both get wins while being dedfensively horrible…. Both have played well and lost, played bad and won…… Mirror image….
Kevin i think you’ll find most of the things I say are true. Being a United fan you are just too thick to realise it. LVG to get a contract extension till 2025 Lol
And your calling him thick …..
Luked, the picture that you have looks a little bit like a dick head. However, the absolute crap that you spout on these threads on regular basis just confirms to everybody that you actually ARE one. You automatically assume that if somebody posting a comment is not Liverpool fan therefore, by your twisted logic, s/he is a Man United fan and get abusive by calling them thick. There are many other football clubs y’know. You should take a leaf out of Graham’s book who always gives a good analysis of football games and situations and does not allow bias to cloud his judgement or resort to verbal abuse.
Except for Fran…. He deserves it
Sloop, funny how you never have simular posts for Fran or baz. Maybe you’re not the saint you think you are.
Luke I find most of the things you say underneath graham’s comment, Which again you have just proved.
I love it when you speak the truth about liverpool and their thick fans automaticlly link you to that other shower of wasters that wear red also
#lolitjustgetsbetter
yes Fran these lads hate the other lads as much as they love their own team and there is only two teams that matter.
Love it when you show up and embarrass Man U fans without effort…. #washebornwithhisfootinhismouth?
not a United fan Graham sorry.
Ahhh I know that Paul….
Except you don’t know the truth because you are way too thick to see it Fran.
Ah lads……..ye’re all gobsh*tes!! :)
Nice goal