ClapLiverpool have made history, as reported by BBC and The Guardian, by opening up the biggest ever gap at the top of the Premier League table with a 22-point advantage in the title race.
The first half saw the Saints stay in the game and hold Liverpool to a 0-0 HT scoreline, at which point many fans and pundits began to wonder whether or not they’d be able to pull off the unlikely and secure the win over the Reds.
Overcoming early struggles
Of course, that was the definition of jumping the gun, as Liverpool quite literally came flying out of the blocks in the second half. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the hosts the lead before Jordan Henderson made it two, with the skipper continuing his phenomenal run of form.
Mohamed Salah wanted to make sure that he got in on the act with a brace, one of which was set up by Henderson. In truth, it was a harsh scoreline for Southampton, who battled really well at Anfield.
One man who was able to sit back and revel in the brilliance of his side’s accomplishments was none other than Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The readiness to improve in the game and learn from the game [is what we had to do to win]. The set-up of Southampton I could not give more credit to. What a strange result in the end. It’s deserved because we score the goals, but what a team.
“They had too many shots on target and we had to change in the second half. That helped massively and when we are rolling it’s difficult to stop.
The new Invincibles?
“Even when it was 4-0 Southampton did not stop and I have so much respect for that.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl, on the other hand, was also proud of what his Southampton side was able to produce.
“Maybe the result is a little high but I would like to watch this game if we had gone a goal up. The best team in the world, for 50 minutes had no real chances and we had a massive one.
“It must be brave at that moment to say goal, so it’s no penalty here at Anfield. The way we played was unbelievably good and I am proud and stand by our plan. It is a clear penalty but in such moments the game can turn in our direction. But in the end it was a deserved win for Liverpool. We played the best we can so I am very proud.”
Liverpool have now put themselves in a position where they could win the Premier League title in late March, if not a bit earlier, as a result of their unbelievable success in the top flight this season.
They need to win their next six league games in order to do so, but when you’re talking about a team that is this good, it really doesn’t seem all that unlikely to comprehend them getting the job done.
Southampton, on the other hand, are going to be just fine.
