Premier League: Salah scores brilliant late goal to send Liverpool top

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Liverpool needed more late goals to move top of the English Premier League once more as Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson struck in the final 10 minutes to earn a 3-1 victory at Southampton on Friday.

Jurgen Klopp's men had to come from behind at St. Mary's after Shane Long's early opener.

However, Naby Keita's first goal for the club brought the visitors level before Salah and Henderson's strikes took Liverpool two points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

The league leaders also needed late goals to beat Fulham and Tottenham in their last two games, but they refuse to give up the chase of a City side eyeing history with a quadruple of trophies.

Klopp's side appeared in danger of dropping valuable points until Salah intervened in the 80th minute to claim his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool in only his second season at the club.

"It was never in doubt that he was a great player in my side," said Klopp.

"It was goal number 50 for Liverpool, an incredible number. He's very consistent."

Salah has been criticized in recent weeks for being too selfish in front of goal in desperation to end his scoreless streak.

Yet, on this occasion, he chose the right option despite the presence of Roberto Firmino in support.

When asked if he considered playing in the Brazilian, Salah told Sky Sports: "Not at all. As a striker, you need to score. I made my decision to shoot."

Liverpool's manager Klopp (L) celebrates with midfielder Jordan Henderson after their comeback win over Southampton on April 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Liverpool were once again forced to demonstrate their resilience as they struggled to find their most fluent form after Southampton established a ninth-minute lead through Shane Long.

Naby Keita equalized in the 36th minute with his first Liverpool goal but it was not until Salah struck that Klopp's side could be confident of moving two points ahead of City at the head of the table.

Jordan Henderson wrapped things up in the 86th minute, but Klopp admitted his side were again not at their best, requiring late interventions just as they had in beating Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in their previous two league games.

"The performance was not top level but it is about fighting," he said.

"People want us to play like Manchester City, we are unable to do that, we play our own football.

"We have 82 points now, that is massive in this crazy league and everyone is waiting for us. I am really proud. It is incredible."

Southampton remain five points clear of the bottom three and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted his disappointment at his side's failure to hold on.

"If you take the lead after five minutes, you are going in the right direction," said Hasenhuttl.

"There is still a way to go but if you are a sportsman you are always frustrated if you are not winning. Not many have won against them this season; we had chances."

Source(s): AFP