Salah’s late penalty secures Liverpool’s dramatic win at Southampton.©(@mfreke36)
Mohamed Salah’s late penalty secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for Liverpool over Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday. The match was full of surprises as Liverpool first took the lead, then went behind, but Salah’s two goals, including an essential penalty in the 83rd minute, secured their thrilling comeback.
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for Liverpool in the first half. Still, Southampton quickly responded with a penalty from Adam Armstrong and a goal from Mateus Fernandes, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead. Salah’s two goals in the second half, capped off by a critical penalty, guaranteed Liverpool’s victory, pushing their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points.
Conor Bradley started for Liverpool in place of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was absent from the matchday squad. Harvey Elliott was named on the bench after recovering from injury during the international break.
The match began with Liverpool dominating possession, but Southampton had the first real opportunity when Fernandes tested goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Mohamed Salah responded shortly after, forcing Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy into action. The game settled into a battle in midfield, with both teams committing fouls. Szoboszlai had a chance to break the deadlock but was denied by McCarthy, who also saved a half-volley from Salah.
In the 26th minute, Liverpool took advantage of a defensive error by Southampton. Flynn Downes couldn’t clear the ball under pressure, and Szoboszlai seized the opportunity, curling a superb shot into the corner. Southampton almost equalized right away, but Kelleher made an excellent save to deny Fernandes from close range.
Just before halftime, Southampton leveled the score. A penalty was awarded after Andy Robertson fouled Tyler Dibling inside the box. Kelleher saved Armstrong’s first penalty attempt, but he reacted quickly to convert the rebound, making it 1-1.
The second half saw both teams exchange chances early on, but it was Southampton who took the lead in the 56th minute. A fast break from Southampton allowed Armstrong to hold the ball and pass to Fernandes, who calmly placed it low into the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead 2-1.
