Liverpool are cruising under Arne Slot this season, having opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-2 victory against Southampton on Sunday.
The Reds take advantage of Manchester City’s latest slip-up at Etihad Stadium, following a stunning 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night. Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool ahead in the first half of the league game at St Mary’s.Szoboszlai took advantage of the Saints’ error and finished with a looping shot from the edge of the box. However, the hosts rebounded to lead 2-1 in the 56th minute thanks to goals from Adam Armstrong and Mateus Fernandes.
Arne Slot’s side fought back, with Mohamed Salah equalising and then scoring a penalty to seal victory. The Dutchman has now won 16 of his first 18 matches in charge across all competitions.
Speaking after the game on Sunday, Slot said: “‘Over the moon’ is a little exaggerated, but we are quite thrilled. Especially when after an hour, we were down 2-1.
“Maybe that wasn’t a reflection of how the first hour went because I believe we dominated the entire game, which is not easy; perhaps you think we played the number 20 [team in the league standings] and this is what we expected, but I’ve seen Southampton dominate many games. Finally, if you’re 2-1 down after an hour, a 3-2 victory will probably make you happy.
He went on to say, “In general, you could have made a different decision, but for me, offsides and deciding whether a ball is inside or outside is just black and white.” It was a foul, which was obvious, so if they saw it was inside, sure, it is a penalty.
“Sometimes with a knock, yes or no, or a red card, yes or no; there was also an occasion in the first half where you might dispute whether it was a red card, yes or no. But offside, inside or outside the 18-yard box, is unarguable.”
Liverpool hosts Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday and Manchester City in the league on Sunday. A victory over Pep Guardiola’s team would increase their lead at the top of the league to 11 points.
Liverpool’s next six league games: Manchester City (H), Newcastle United (A), Everton (A), Fulham (H), Tottenham Hotspur (A), and Leicester City (H).
