Reds’ Second Half Comeback Secures Vital Three Points | OneFootball

A Crucial Victory for Liverpool in the Title Race

Liverpool strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Anfield, overcoming a first-half setback to secure three points. Mohamed Salah once again proved decisive, netting twice from the penalty spot to take his tally to 27 goals for the campaign. The Egyptian forward delivered under pressure, dispatching his second spot-kick with a thunderous strike into the top corner, leaving Aaron Ramsdale with no chance.

Salah’s Clinical Penalty Secures the Win

Liverpool were handed a golden opportunity to settle the contest in the 87th minute when the referee, after a VAR review, pointed to the spot for a second time. Yukinari Sugawara was adjudged to have handled the ball deliberately as he attempted to prevent Luis Díaz from progressing inside the box. Salah made no mistake, confidently sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put the result beyond doubt.

Earlier in the match, the Reds had fallen behind to a rare Southampton breakthrough. A miscommunication between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson allowed Will Smallbone to capitalise on a quick throw-in from Ryan Manning, slotting home into an empty net. Despite limited possession and just a handful of attempts, the visitors found themselves leading at the interval.

Liverpool’s Second-Half Response

Liverpool emerged for the second half with greater urgency and restored parity in the 51st minute. Díaz, a constant menace for Southampton’s backline, wove past Kyle Walker-Peters before cutting the ball back for Darwin Núñez to finish from close range. It was a deserved equaliser, with the home side having dominated possession and created the majority of the chances.

Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring a goal to make it 1-1 Liverpool v Southampton, Premier League, Football, Anfield, Liverpool, UK – 08 Mar 2025 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xMattxWest/Shutterstockx 15183567an

Minutes later, the game took another dramatic turn as Liverpool were awarded their first penalty of the night. A chaotic sequence in the box saw Núñez brought down by Will Smallbone, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Salah stepped up and drilled his effort past Ramsdale, who guessed the right way but could not prevent the Egyptian from giving Liverpool the lead.

Southampton’s Struggles Continue

For Southampton, this defeat prolongs their winless run in the league to over a month. Ivan Jurić’s side showed resilience but ultimately lacked the quality to sustain their early advantage. Their defensive frailties were exposed in the second half as Liverpool turned the screw, demonstrating their title-winning credentials.

The Saints remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just nine points from 27 matches, drawing unfortunate comparisons with Derby County’s record-low tally of 11 points in the 2007/08 season. With Wolves up next, they face a must-win fixture to avoid slipping closer to an inevitable relegation.

Liverpool’s Title Charge Gains Momentum

Arne Slot’s side, meanwhile, continue their march towards the Premier League title, sitting comfortably ahead of their nearest challengers. With Arsenal set to face Manchester United tomorrow, Liverpool’s advantage could extend further, piling pressure on their rivals.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Albert Gronbaek Erlykke of Southampton Liverpool v Southampton, Premier League, Football, Anfield, Liverpool, UK – 08 Mar 2025 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xMattxWest/Shutterstockx 15183567w

Their midweek triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League showcased their ability to grind out results in high-stakes encounters. Slot’s tactical decisions, even in the absence of Jürgen Klopp on the touchline, continue to bear fruit. With momentum firmly on their side, Liverpool are well-positioned to reclaim the title as the season enters its decisive phase.