Liverpool 3-1 Southampton: Player ratings as Nunez & Salah star in comeback victory

8 March 2025, 19:08 published Updated 8 March 2025, 19:08

Darwin Nunez was involved throughout against the Saints

Liverpool moved 16 points clear of title rivals Arsenal as they came from behind to beat last-placed Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League.

The Reds were expected to sweep the struggling Saints aside at Anfield but made life difficult for themselves as they entered the break behind. An almighty mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and midweek hero Alisson gifted Will Smallbone an open goal inside the penalty area, with the midfielder gladly accepting the invitation to give Southampton a shock lead.

But the Reds turned the encounter on its head within ten minutes of the restart. Darwin Nunez – who arguably could have been sent off during the first half for kicking out at Kyle Walker-Peters – dragged Liverpool into the lead, finishing Luis Diaz’s excellent cross before winning a penalty for Mohamed Salah to convert.

Salah scored another spot kick in the dying embers as Liverpool extended their advantage to secure a hugely important victory in their bid to be crowned Premier League champions.

Liverpool player ratings (4-2-3-1)

Mohamed Salah was at the double against Southampton

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Player	Rating
GK: Alisson	5.1/10
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold	8.1/10
CB: Ibrahima Konate	6.8/10
CB: Virgil van Dijk	6.3/10
LB: Kostas Tsimikas	7.5/10
DM: Ryan Gravenberch	7.2/10
DM: Curtis Jones	7.2/10
RW: Mohamed Salah	9.2/10
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai	6.6/10
LW: Luis Diaz	8.3/10
ST: Darwin Nunez	8.4/10
SUB: Andy Robertson (46′ for Tsimikas)	6.2/10
SUB: Alexis Mac Allister (46′ for Jones)	6.8/10
SUB: Harvey Elliott (46′ for Szoboszlai)	6.8/10
SUB: Diogo Jota (69′ for Nunez)	6.1/10
SUB: Wataru Endo (81′ for Gravenberch)	N/A

Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Federico Chiesa.

Southampton player ratings (4-4-2)

Will Smallbone

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Player	Rating
GK: Aaron Rasmdale	7.2/10
RB: Kyle Walker-Peters	7.0/10
CB: Jan Bednarek	6.8/10
CB: Taylor Harwood-Bellis	7.4/10
LB: Ryan Manning	7.6/10
RM: Tyler Dibling	7.0/10
CM: Lesley Ugochukwu	6.8/10
CM: Will Smallbone	7.5/10
LM: Kamaldeen Sulemana	6.6/10
ST: Mateus Fernandes	7.2/10
ST: Albert Gronbaek	6.2/10
SUB: Armel Bella-Kotchap (19′ for Bednarek)	6.5/10
SUB: Yukinari Sugawara (63′ for Dibling)	5.7/10
SUB: Cameron Archer (63′ for Gronbaek)	6.0/10
SUB: Adam Lallana (73′ for Smallbone)	6.2/10
SUB: Joe Aribo (83′ for Ugochukwu)	N/A
SUB: Paul Onuachu (83′ for Manning)	N/A