Liverpool secured a crucial 3-1 comeback win over Southampton on Saturday, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to 16 points.

However, the victory was not as smooth as the scoreline suggests.

The Reds struggled in the first half and went into the break trailing.

Arne Slot made three changes at halftime, bringing on Harvey Elliott, Alexis Mac Allister, and Andy Robertson.

Arne Slot admits rare regret over team selection and Harvey Elliott	'I made a mistake': Arne Slot admits he should not have started one Liverpool player against Southampton	Arne Slot admits Dominik Szoboszlai mistake and explains drastic Liverpool dressing room decision

The substitutions transformed Liverpool’s performance, with Darwin Nunez leading the charge in the second half.

Despite the win, Slot was not fully satisfied with his initial lineup.

After the game, he admitted that, in hindsight, he made a mistake in his team selection.

Arne Slot admits team selection ‘mistake’

Slot explained his decision, saying, “Today, if I could do it one more time over, I would have started it differently than I started today – but you don’t know this in advance.”

Szoboszlai, usually known for his energy and endurance, looked off the pace in the opening 45 minutes.

Slot acknowledged this, stating, “Every time I am sitting here and talking about Dominik, I’m talking about he is a machine.”

“He can keep on going, running and running and running.”

However, this time was different.

“It was maybe the first time this season I saw a different energy from him.

Which is maybe normal.”

“Maybe I made a mistake by playing him because he gives so much every single game.”

Slot was pleased that the early substitution meant Szoboszlai would be fresher for upcoming matches.

“The good news is he only played 45 and is more rested for the upcoming week.”

Despite the win, Slot knows Liverpool cannot relax.

“It’s 16 for now but that can be down to seven by the time we play Everton in a few weeks,” he warned.

Read more: Martin Odegaard on title race: We’ll fight until the end

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