(Football news) Liverpool secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium, ensuring that the Premier League title race will be decided on the final day as just a point separates them with league leaders Manchester City. The Reds remain on a hunt for an unprecedented quadruple after defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup final, winning the Carabao Cup earlier this year and being in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Jurgen Klopp’s team made nine changes to their lineup with only Alisson and Ibrahima Konate keeping their spots. With Virgil Van Dijk injured, Liverpool’s defence looked vulnerable and the hosts capitalised on his absence by scoring the opening goal through Nathan Redmond in the 13th minute. However, the Reds fought back and Takumi Minamino’s shot at the near post brought them level in the 27th minute while Joel Matip scored the winner in the 67th minute.
The result means that Liverpool are now on 89 points while City are on 90 and the Reds will undoubtedly hope that club legend Steven Gerrard can do them a favour by holding City to at least a draw in the final game of their season against Aston Villa in order to clinch the Premier League title. If City manage to match Liverpool’s result on the final day, they will be crowned champions yet again while a City defeat and a Liverpool draw will also work in the favour of Pep Guardiola’s team as long as the defeat isn’t by a margin of seven goals.
Speaking after the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said “An incredible performance. After making nine changes, if it didn't work out it was my responsibility, now it worked out it's the boys' responsibility. I thought they did exceptionally well. Some incredible performances tonight. I saw a group reaction to a blow [for the Southampton goal]. I didn't see it back but thought it was a clear foul and in these situations, you can lose your nerves but the boys kept going. We controlled the game. We calmed that atmosphere down, it became a normal game and not the game Southampton wanted.
"The last 10 minutes, we have to work on how we can play time down without getting into trouble but deserve three points. Fantastic. I'm so happy about the performance, it was a bit touching. Wow. These boys. It's like having Ferraris in the garage. If I'm in [City's] situation I don't feel like I'm champion again [yet]. It's football. We have to first win our game. That's difficult enough."
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