Liverpool comeback to down Southampton as Mo Salah scores 50th goal

Mohamed Salah scored a terrific solo goal as Liverpool came from behind to beat Southampton at St Mary’s and return to the top of the Premier League.

With 10 minutes remaining, Liverpool looked set to squander the opportunity to return to the top, before Salah clinically ended his run of six league games without a goal.

As the Southampton defenders backed off, the Egyptian ran half the length of the pitch before firing past Angus Gunn with his left foot.

Liverpool substitute Jordan Henderson sealed victory late on with a close-range finish.

Shane Long had handed Saints an early lead with a composed strike from inside the area but Naby Keita headed the visitors level with his first goal for the club before the break.

The result sees Liverpool leapfrog Manchester City yet again – the 25th time the Premier League lead has changed hands this season, the joint second-highest number in the post-World War Two era.

The Red have a two-point gap at the top, although the defending champions have a game in hand with six matches left to play.

Southampton remain in 16th place, just five points above the relegation zone.

Liverpool leave it late again

Jurgen Klopp’s side have the best away record in the league but they got off to a poor start when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s flick-on found an unmarked Long to finish well inside the area.

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Southampton executed their game plan well after taking the lead by defending deep as Liverpool attempted to play through them.

Their biggest threat came from wide areas and the right foot of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who delivered a sensational cross for Keita to convert off the back of Jannik Vestergaard.

The Reds continued to dominate the ball after the break with 70% possession but they were limited to just one shot on target before Salah struck his 50th Premier League goal in 69 appearances. Only Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy have reached the landmark in fewer matches.

Salah was influential as Liverpool secured three points in injury time against Tottenham in their last outing, and their persistence in the latter stages of matches is no fluke.

Liverpool have scored 20 goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season, more than any other side, and they have also won a league-leading 16 points from losing positions.

If the Reds are to deliver a first league title since 1990, their undying spirit at the death could tip the balance in their favour.

Saints fall away when it matters

Southampton remain five points clear of the danger zone but they were poised to claim a surprise point against the title challengers.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has turned the tide since taking charge at St Mary’s and the hosts produced a disciplined defensive display to limit a side that has scored 85 goals to just five shots on target.

Vestergaard and Maya Yoshida made 10 clearances apiece, while the latter epitomised the Southampton mentality when he leapt off the ground to block Roberto Firmino’s shot with the goal at his mercy.

However, with the game in the balance and Liverpool struggling to carve out many clear-cut opportunities, the home defence backed off and gave Salah the room he needed to strike the decisive blow.

On-loan Saints striker Danny Ings, ineligible against his parent club, was replaced in the Southampton line-up by Irishman Long, who was making his first league start since February.

Long handed his side the perfect start when he also struck his 50th Premier League goal with a cool finish as the visitors started slowly.

Only five teams have scored fewer goals than Southampton this season, but with Ings set to return and Long back among the goals, they are well placed to pick up the results needed to stay in the top flight.