Liverpool extended its lead to a massive 16 points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League standings with a strong 3-1 victory against a struggling Southampton side on Saturday afternoon.

Despite a surprise goal from Will Smallbone that wasn't without controversy and stunned Liverpool at the end of the first half, the Reds managed to come back when Darwin Nunez netted an equalizing goal following the break.

Record-breaking Mohamed Salah then put his stamp on the match with two critical penalties to secure the win for Arne Slot's squad.

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"Soon after, the decision having been taken not to upgrade a yellow card, Nunez had conjured an equalizer, gestured to shush his detractors and won a penalty as Liverpool recovered to post another important victory.

"At the point he departed to a standing ovation in the 68th minute, the prospect of him starting the Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday had been strengthened."

The Independent 's Rich Jolly reflects: "Arne Slot had talked his way into trouble.

"They were troubled by turbulence as the worst team in the league took a surprise lead and then they were given a rollicking by boss Arne Slot, watching on from the stands – air traffic control giving them a dressing-down if you want to stick with the analogy.

Blink and you'll miss them."

Chris Bascombe, from The Telegraph, highlighted Nunez's influence: "Liverpool's latest victory en route to the promised land of being Premier League champions owed everything to peak Darwin Nunez

"There have been far better Liverpool footballers than Nunez

"The big games keep coming for the Reds as they now turn their attention to the last-16 second leg with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday before Sunday's showpiece with Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

"But if this is indeed what a 'final' is like for Arne Slot's Liverpool, as he stressed it was on Friday, then supporters should be expected to go through the full range of emotions at Wembley next week."


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