Liverpool Keep Premier League Hopes Alive In Comeback At Southampton
SAINTS could not hold onto an early lead to send St Mary’s supporters home happy for the last time this season, as Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1.
Nathan Redmond had set Saints ahead inside within the first 15 minutes after his strike clipped James Milner on the way in, but Takumi Minamino scored against his former loan side to level.
A defensive Saints held on into the second-half, but defender Joel Matip headed into the top corner beyond McCarthy to keep hopes of their title alive.
Liverpool, who made nine changes, knew that only a win would realistically be enough to enable them catch Manchester City, going into this game four points behind with the final day of the season on Sunday.
Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed ahead of kick-off that left-back Romain Perraud has been ruled out for five to six weeks with a lower limb fracture, while Fraser Forster was also absent through injury.
That saw Alex McCarthy make a first-team appearance for the first time since last year, December, as one of five changes in the Saints team to the 3-0 defeat at Brentford last time out with a switch to five-at-the-back.
Armando Broja showed good early endeavour to force a save from a narrow angle but neglected Redmond arriving open at the back-post.
However, the makeshift left-wing-back carved another opportunity soon after – picking up on the halfway line and driving, cutting inside past two defenders before making a shot.
The right-footed effort just slightly deflected off James Milner and in to give Saints an early lead, and Redmond his first goal of the Premier League season.
Roberto Firmino thought he had levelled soon after with a header but it was obviously offside due to a well marshalled Saints line.
But it was instead the former Saints loanee, Minamino, who finished a swift move and thumped beyond McCarthy from inside the area to restore equality before the half-hour mark.
Liverpool then began to assert their dominance on the competition, and looked in control with Saints scrambling to clear lines.
Supporters were given a rousing half-time addressing by Saints legend Dave Merrington commentating on his end home game for BBC Radio Solent, and he was as warmly received as he greets.
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