EPL: Liverpool Thump Saints - Concluding Part

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Read Part one here

It was turning to a routine game for Liverpool when Jota got his brace in the 32nd minute from another cross, this time from Salah.

The Portuguese almost got his hat-trick moments later but for a last minute save by Lyanco, who would later turn villain when Thiago's left-footed shot from just inside the box was deflected off him past his own keeper into the net. A huge confidence booster for the Spaniard, scoring in successive games.

The game was open with Southampton able to push forward at intervals. They got another sight of Liverpool's goal in the last minute of the first half when Livarmento sent a cross into the danger area and Adam Armstrong saw his low drive effort saved by Alisson.

The hosts went again in the 50th minute when a quickly taken set piece found its way to Mane on the edge of the Saints' box. His effort was brilliantly tipped around by Alex McCarthy.

There was no denying the home team from the resulting corner as Alexander Arnold's setpiece found its way to Van Dijk from about 12 yards out. The Dutch defender, who had freed himself of Oriol Romeu squeezed a low effort beneath McCarthy for the Reds' fourth.

Just before Jota was replaced by Takumi Minamino, he saw his last chance for a hat-trick elude him when a similar cross from Robertson into the box had beaten the goalkeeper, but he could only manage to get his studs on the ball, which flew well over the bar.

There was no way back for Southampton as Liverpool continue to impress this season and move second on the log, pending Manchester City's game against West Ham.

Concluding Thoughts

It was a vintage Liverpool performance with the quality in their attacking third never doubted. Again, they showed vulnerability at the back at times when Southampton threatened and would have been punished had the Saints been more clinical.

It was Southampton's 14th loss on the road this year, conceding 47 goals in the process as they find themselves in 14th position, just five points above the drop zone.