Home team Southampton surprised Liverpool by taking the lead early in the second half with a spectacular counter-attack. But defensive mistakes created the opportunity for Mo Salah to score 2 goals for Liverpool to successfully reverse the situation.

Liverpool controlled the game in the first half thanks to their attacking line constantly pressing and shooting at goal, but shots from Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah all failed to get past goalkeeper Alx McCarthy.

It was not until the 30th minute that Liverpool opened the scoring thanks to a mistake from the Saints’ defence when a defender cleared the ball straight to Szoboszlai, and the Hungarian midfielder immediately swiped the ball from the edge of the box into the far corner, hitting the post and going into the net.

But Liverpool’s plan to suppress them went awry when the midfield failed to stop Tyler Dibling and the 18-year-old’s breakaway was forced to trip Robertson on the edge of the area, conceding a penalty.

Kelleher saved Armstrong’s spot-kick, but was left helpless as the Southampton striker fired home.

During the first half, Liverpool controlled the ball 67%, shot 11 times (7 on target) compared to Southampton’s 4 shots on target.

Liverpool felt the worst coming early in the second half when Southampton took the lead with a classic counter-attack.