Tilak Varma Replaces Injured Shivam Dube for Bangladesh T20 Series
Quadruple dream still on as Liverpool win 2-1 vs Southampton
Liverpool FC continue their winning run with a 2-1 win over Southampton FC tonight.
Premier League: We are into the last week of football but we still do not have a winner. It could be either of Liverpool FC or Manchester FC.
With a win vs Southampton FC at the St Mary’s Stadium, Liverpool Football Club closed the gap at the top to just 1 point.
Also read: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/manchester-city-have-sculpted-a-statute-for-sergio-aguero/
Liverpool FC vs Southampton FC
Tonight, Liverpool faced a tough opponent in Southampton at their own backyard. Last season, Ralph Hassenhuttl(Southampton manager) got a 1-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s men, thanks to a 2nd minute wonder goal by Danny Ings.
Today, Liverpool could afford no such slip-ups.
Despite this being a must win match, Jurgen Klopp named a side that saw 9 changes made from their last match against Chelsea.
Only goalkeeper Allison Becker and defender Ibrahima Konate kept their place in the starting XI.
Liverpool FC – Allison(gk), Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Konstantinos Tsimikas, James Milner(C), Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota.
Southampton FC – Alex McCarthy(gk), Kyle Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Jack Stephen, Mohammed Salisu, James Ward Prowse(C), Nathan Tella, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Ibrahima Diallo, Nathan Redmond, Armando Broja.
First Half Summary
Liverpool as expected, started off on the front foot. James Milner’s shot from outside the box was close but not close enough.
To the home crowds’ delight, Nathan Redmond with the help of deflection, curled a shot wide of Allison, into the corner of the net.
Agony for Liverpool, joy for Southampton and Manchester City. Although the build up that led to the goal had started with a controversial call, the goal stood.
Diogo Jota had been fouled in the build up but match official Martin Atkinson, failed to see it and waived play on, resulting in a Saints goal.
With the pressure mounting, Liverpool started to dominate the ball more, creating half chances. Bobby Firmino had the ball in the back of the Saints net too but, was correctly ruled offside.
Soon, Diogo Jota set teammate Takumi Minamino through on goal, who lashed a fierce shot into the back of the Saints goal. Minamino brought his current team back on level terms against a team, which he was on loan at, last season.
Picture credits – Liverpool FC/ Twitter.
This goal settled the nerves of the Reds players and the fans. Southampton backed off and let Liverpool have the ball till the end of the half. Right at half time, fill in right back Joe Gomez seemed to have hurt himself. Young Reds player has had a torrid time with injuries, having been on the sidelines for countless number of months.
We hope a speedy recovery to Joe Gomez, who seemed to have had some trouble with his knee after the awkward clash with Tella.
Both teams went into the half having scored a goal apiece.
Second Hal Summary
Just like the first half, Liverpool started off the second half with a 78% possession. Diogo Jota’s quick feet movement helped him take a shot that was close but crept just wide.
Liverpool started to assert dominance and dictate the state of play.
Attack after attack after attack mounted on the Southampton goal but, the Saints defense remained stubborn.
Lyanco led Saints defense was effective and efficient in dealing with the Liverpool front three.
Unfortunately, the corner count for the Reds started to rise as well. Desperate for an equalizer, Jurgen Klopp subbed on cult hero and clutch goal scorer Divock Origi.
Saints defense did not deal with the corner well and as a result, Joel Matip was able to score a freaky goal to give Liverpool a deserved 2-1 lead.
Picture credits – Liverpool FC/ Twitter.
A huge goal in context of the title as this goal kept Liverpool in the race for the Premier League Title.
Allison led defense helped Liverpool cling on to a 1 goal lead amongst Saints pressure.
Earlier this week, Manchester City dropped vital points away to West Ham at the London Stadium.
Manchester City FC vs West Ham United
A Jarrod Bowen brace in the first half had West Ham 2-0 up against the league leaders.
But the defending Champions showed never die spirit to comeback from 2-0 down, thanks to a goal from their £100m transfer singing Jack Grealish.
Soon, City were on level terms, after right back Vladimir Coufal deflected the ball into his own net.
Manchester City had a golden opportunity to lead the game, with a penalty. But, Riyad Mahrez failed to convert it as Lucasz Fabianski leapt the right way to acrobatically deny him.
Coincidentally, Liverpool won their 2nd trophy of the season in a penalty shootout after Allison saved Mason Mount’s penalty. Backup left back Kostas Tsimikas aka the “Greek Scouser” won the shootout for Liverpool. He helped lift the FA Cup.
