A big week for Liverpool started off on the best possible note, as the Reds romped to an easy 3-0 win at Anfield against Southampton. The Saints curse was broken as the Reds finally managed to score against their bogey opponents after four unsuccessful attempts last season.
Mo Salah set the ball rolling with a sublime curler into Fraser Forster’s far post, before doubling the lead after being found by a sublime through ball from Philippe Coutinho. Coutinho got himself a third after a Roberto Firmino shot was parried into his path by Forster.
Here’s how each player fared:
SIMON MIGNOLET – 6/10
There were a few nervy moments, particularly when he was slow to come off his line for a cross that Sofiane Boufal attacked, but in the end, no harm was done. Southampton didn’t test him nearly enough.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 7/10
Another very encouraging performance from the teenager, as he breezed up and down the right side pretty comfortably. It was encouraging to see that the defensive side of his game was solid.
DEJAN LOVREN – 6/10
Southampton did really test the Liverpool defence enough. But you can only play against what’s against you, and Lovren did that well. Left his mark on a possible future Red too. Good on you, Dejan!
RAGNAR KLAVAN – 6/10
As with Lovren, a very comfortable day at work for Klavan.
ALBERTO MORENO – 6/10
Moreno tended to switch off a few times as he let Cedric go forward a little too easily on a few occasions. Apart from that, there was the typical Moreno energy.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 7/10
Much better from the skipper today. Much much better. He was snapping into tackles, winning balls back and played a few decent passes too. More of the same please, Jordan!
GINI WIJNALDUM – 7/10
It was at Anfield, so Gini will turn up. And he did, as he put in another effective if unspectacular display.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO – 8/10
Absolutely sublime from the little fella. He was untouchable in midfield as neither Oriol Romeu nor Steven Davis could even get close to him. That pass to Salah for the second goal was magical, and he got himself a goal with his last touch of the night.
SADIO MANE – 7/10
Full of running, full of desire, full of promise, but just short of that killer final ball. Another good performance from the Senegalese to follow up on his display against West Ham two weeks ago.
MOHAMED SALAH – 10/10
Top class. Just top class. For a man who seemed to only score from one-on-ones or tap-ins, it was refreshing to see that beautiful curler which gave the Reds the lead on the day. For the second goal, it was just a typical Salah run from out to in, and once he was expertly found by Coutinho, there really was going to be only one result. Man of the Match
ROBERTO FIRMINO – 9/10
He will have his detractors for not scoring enough goals as the centre-forward, but Firmino is the player Klopp needs in that position, in the system. His pressing was brilliant, with the press leading to Salah’s first goal. Could’ve got himself a goal too, but Forster parried his shot, for Coutinho to tap into an almost empty net.
SUBSTITUTES
EMRE CAN – 6/10
Can came on when it was time for the party tricks, and he showed a few of them, but nothing to really bother Southampton.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN – N/A
Another 20-minute runout for him, as he continues integrating into the Liverpool furniture.
JAMES MILNER – N/A
Was brought on to give Salah ten minutes off, and a standing ovation.
