Liverpool signed off for the World Cup break with a 3-1 win over Southampton at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Reds struck first in the sixth minute, with Roberto Firmino flicking Andy Robertson‘s free-kick beyond Gavin Bazunu. It took just three minutes for Southampton to equalise through Che Adams, who headed home from James Ward-Prowse’s lofted delivery.
Liverpool were nearly back in front soon after Darwin Nunez drove forward off the left and supplied Mohamed Salah with a low pass in the box, but Bazunu produced a strong stop to deny the Egyptian a tap-in.
However, they took a 2-1 lead before the half-hour mark, as Harvey Elliot set up Nunez to steer home. Three minutes before the break, Nunez bagged a second when he slotted home Robertson’s low cross from the left flank.
Alisson Becker produced a couple of good saves in the second half to help Liverpool win the contest against the Saints and inch closer to the top four. That being said, let us take a look at the Liverpool player ratings in their win over Southampton at Anfield.
Liverpool Player Ratings vs Southampton
Alisson Becker—8/10
Alisson had no chance to keep out Southampton’s equaliser but produced superb saves to deny Elyounoussi, Edozie and Adams in the second half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold—7/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold was tested at times defensively on the counter but did well. His passing and distribution was crisp as usual. Subbed late on.
Joe Gomez—6/10
Solid enough overall as he dealt with Adams’ pace and physicality well throughout the evening.
Virgil van Dijk—7/10
Lost Adams for the equaliser, but made amends by stopping a counter-attack in the first half. Made an excellent tackle on Adams in the second half before putting a header just wide.
Andy Robertson—8/10
Showed plenty of energy and zest on the left flank. Busy as ever, curling in a fine free-kick for the opener. Superb low cross for the third goal.
Fabinho—6/10
Did well just in front of the defence, but still not yet at his usual best. Kept things ticking over with his passing.
Thiago Alcantara—7/10
Played some lovely passes from the centre of the park and got the Anfield faithful clapping with a tenacious tackle. Strong performance!
Harvey Elliott—8/10
Busy on the right of the midfield three, took up promising positions and linked with the forwards well. Fantastic pick-out for Nunez’s goal. Subbed late on.
Mohamed Salah—7/10
Salah won the free-kick for the opening goal. Always a threat to the visitors due to his pace and movement. Denied brilliantly by Bazunu in the first half.
Roberto Firmino—8/10
Roberto Firmino expertly glanced home to open the scoring for Liverpool. He acted as the conduit between midfield and attack superbly, slipping in Robertson for Nunez’s second. A constant pest for the Southampton backline. Subbed off in the 76th minute to rapturous applause.
Darwin Nunez- 9/10
A performance that was near complete by Darwin Nunez. Took both his goals expertly and was a real handful for the Southampton defenders—especially in the first half. Almost bagged an assist when sliding in Salah. Substituted late on.
Substitutes
James Milner—5/10
Added experience and steel to the side in what was a landmark 600th appearance.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain—4/10
Came on for Firmino but had little time to make an impact whatsoever.
Kostas Tsimikas—N/A
Replaced Robertson in the 87th minute.
Fabio Carvalho—N/A
Replaced Nunez in the 87th minute. Won a corner for the home side.
Nat Phillips—N/A
Came on late for Alexander-Arnold to shore up the Liverpool defence.
