Southampton 0-2 Liverpool: What the papers said
Liverpool produced a solid away performance as they recorded a 2-0 win over Southampton on Sunday, but what did the media make of it?
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah netted the goals as the Reds reclaimed third spot in the Premier League – just two points shy of second-placed Manchester United.
Read the best reaction to a good afternoon for Jürgen Klopp's side in our press round-up below.
James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
Jürgen Klopp's 50th Premier League victory lifted Liverpool back up to third place and within two points of Manchester United. This was the perfect preparation for Wednesday's Champions League trip to FC Porto. The deadly double act of Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah did the damage and no backline in Europe will relish facing them in full flow. The understanding between them was bordering on telepathic as they ripped sorry Saints to shreds.
Salah created the early opener for Firmino, who returned the favour in awe-inspiring fashion just before the break. His backheel into the Egyptian's path was the act of a genius at work. There was also much to admire about Liverpool at the other end. Loris Karius showcased his growing confidence as he built on his fine performance against Tottenham. The keeper pulled off two crucial saves to ensure the Reds held on to their narrow lead before Salah effectively killed off Saints' challenge. Karius, who kept Liverpool's second clean sheet of 2018, looks like a man benefiting from the leadership and authority provided by the presence of Virgil van Dijk in front of him.
Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror
Contrary to popular belief the Player of the Year award is far from a foregone conclusion. How can it be when Mo Salah continues to pile up the goals and the assists like this? The electric Egyptian was nowhere near his best on a freezing afternoon here on the south coast. Yet he scored one and made the other for Roberto Firmino to lift Liverpool to within two points of second-placed Manchester United.
Jurgen Klopp and his men are coming for Jose Mourinho's side. Next month's face-off at Old Trafford should be a cracker. Salah, however, has been directly involved in 29 top flight goals this season - 22 strikes and seven assists. He has scored even more than super-striker Sergio Aguero. In fact, Salah's tally is the most by a Liverpool player in the Premier League in their debut season.
Dominic Fifield, The Guardian
There can be no living with Liverpool on their travels at times, so incisive is their play and slick their passing. Teams near the foot would not normally consider a visit from Jürgen Klopp's progressive side as an opportunity to instigate a revival. But Southampton's was still a meek surrender. Liverpool have scored 34 away goals this season, more than 11 top-flight teams have managed in total, with the energy and precision of Mané, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino utterly irresistible. This team are equally adept at flooding forward on the counter-attack or pinning opponents so deep that they eventually crack. Their first-half goals reflected both skills, even if each benefited from jittery Southampton defending.
Tom Prentki, The Independent
Mohamed Salah's season continues to go from strength to strength as the brilliant Egyptian scored one and made another to lift Liverpool back into third and close the gap on Manchester United. It was the perfect way to prepare for Wednesday night’s trip to Porto for the Champions League knockout stages as they cruised to victory against a beleaguered Southampton. Liverpool's second came via a devastating one-two between Firmino and Salah finishing with the latter sweeping home his 29th goal of the season in all competitions.
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.