Liverpool FC took advantage of Manchester City’s mistake and increased their lead at the top of the table. Mo Salah turned the game around in Southampton with a brace. Now the direct duel against Pep Guardiola’s struggling team awaits.
Opportunity taken, duty fulfilled. The English football leaders FC Liverpool have extended their lead in the table with a victory at FC Southampton. Coach Arne Slot’s Reds prevailed narrowly but deservedly with 3:2 (1:1) at the bottom of the table. The outstanding Mohamed Salah made the difference. The Egyptian scored in the 65th minute to make it 2-2 for the guests and scored the winning goal with a hand penalty in the 83rd minute.
Liverpool initially took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai (30th). But Southampton played cheerfully and was rewarded with a penalty. Liverpool keeper Caoimhín Kelleher was able to parry Adam Armstrong’s shot (42′), but the follow-up shot ended up in the net. In the second half, Mateus Fernandes (56th) even shot the outsiders into the lead. But thanks to Salah there was no surprise.
Guardiola is surprised
This means that leaders Liverpool are already eight points ahead of the struggling defending champions and second-placed Manchester City. Next Sunday there will be a direct duel between the two competitors in Anfield.
The fifth competitive game defeat in a row has left a clear mark on the opponent. “We are not used to losing so many games in a row,” admitted City coach Pep Guardiola after the 4-0 debacle in the English Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur. “It happened. We have to do everything we can to turn things around, especially in the next game.”
The Spaniard only extended his contract on Thursday to set an example in the crisis. The hoped-for effect fizzled out, as the “Sunday Times” noted: “New contract, new low.”
The series champions presented themselves as anything but masterful against Tottenham. The fans at the Etihad Stadium, spoiled for success, rubbed their eyes in amazement as their Cityzens were paraded in phases by the guests from London. “The Spurs dismantled Man City into all its individual parts,” summed up the Telegraph. The first home defeat since November 2022 and after 52 games was also the highest in 18 years. The Manchester Evening News called it a “horror show”.
Guardiola struggled to classify the situation objectively. “After eight years here, I knew that sooner or later we would crash,” said the 53-year-old. “I didn’t think we would lose three Premier League games in a row, but we were incredibly consistent (before) over and over again. But the reality is that things like this happen in football and in life.”
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