Darwin Nunez strikes twice as Liverpool beat Southampton
Darwin Nunez struck twice for Liverpool on Saturday afternoon as the Reds defeated Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League.
The Reds signed off domestic action at Anfield ahead of the World Cup break with three points, as Roberto Firmino opened the scoring before Nunez’s double.
Che Adams found the back of the net for the visitors to level initially, though Nathan Jones' side were undone by two efforts from the No.27 - with all goals coming in the first period.
Team news
Liverpool made 10 changes for the fixture against Saints as Alisson Becker made his 150th Premier League appearance.
Only Joe Gomez retained his place in the starting line-up from the midweek Carabao Cup tie with Derby County, while youngster Ben Doak was named on the bench.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Phillips, 87), Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson (Tsimikas, 86), Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott (Milner, 68), Salah, Nunez (Carvalho, 87), Firmino (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 75).
Unused subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Bajcetic, Doak.
First half
The game started at a swift pace in L4 with both teams exchanging goals inside the opening 10 minutes of the contest.
Liverpool struck first as Firmino guided a header into the far corner from an Andy Robertson free-kick, with the ball evading the grasp of visiting stopper Gavin Bazunu.
Southampton, however, hit back almost immediately in a similar move thanks to Adams’ glancing effort after a James Ward-Prowse set-piece delivery.
The atmosphere at Anfield took hold as each team battled for supremacy and it was the Reds who again hauled themselves in front after the 20-minute mark.
Following sustained pressure on the Saints backline, Harvey Elliott produced an inch-perfect cross into the box to find the run of Nunez.
The Uruguay international broke free of his marker and volleyed into the back of the net to hand Liverpool another slender advantage.
Klopp’s charges began to work opportunities and put together another slick move which resulted in a good save from close range.
Elliott found Mohamed Salah on the edge of the box, who in turn found Nunez with the striker’s backheel falling to Firmino though his low effort was blocked.
Nunez again forced Bazunu into action thanks to a strong header, while Salah himself saw a deflected shot fall straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Liverpool weren’t to be denied a third before the break, though, as Firmino let Robertson free down the left side to cross low for Nunez.
The forward again found the bottom corner to give the Reds breathing room at the half-time interval.
Second half
After an action-packed opening period, the game began at a slower pace following the change of ends.
Firmino, again, signalled Liverpool's intent but couldn't keep his header down at a Robertson corner as the two combined for a second time.
On the hour, though, the game burst into life once more with Alisson twice saving well from Mohamed Elyounoussi and substitute Samuel Edozie.
Salah, meanwhile, saw a penalty appeal waved away by referee Simon Hooper following a tangle with Mohammed Salisu.
Virgil van Dijk then headed wide in search of a fourth for Liverpool, after Robertson's swinging cross found the centre-back in space inside the opposition box.
At the other end, Alisson produced another wonderful save to deny Adams - who threatened thanks to a header - with the No.1 throwing himself down to his right to push the ball away from goal.
Van Dijk again headed the wrong side of the post in the final stages from another corner, in the last meaningful action of the afternoon.
Attendance: 53,331