Liverpool beat Southampton to go 16 factors away from Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds got here again from a purpose all the way down to win the sport 3-1, courtesy of a second half purpose from Darwin Nunez and a brace from Mo Salah.
Smallbone gave Saints the lead proper earlier than half-time in what was an underwhelming first 45 minutes from the Reds. Nonetheless, after an indignant workforce discuss on the break, Arne Slot’s facet got here out with way more intent within the second half.
Nunez equalised within the 51st minute earlier than successful a penalty slotted in by high scorer Mo Salah within the fifty fifth minute. And the Egyptian scored his second from the spot within the 88th minute to seal all three factors for his facet.
Mike Dean satisfied VAR made a blunder throughout Liverpool vs Southampton
Whereas the house facet needed to come again from behind to win it, former referee Mike Dean believes they need to by no means have been able to fightback within the first place.
As per Dean, the VAR made made a mistake in permitting Southampton’s purpose to face as Smallbone was in an offside place through the combine up between Alisson and Van Dijk.
Replay confirmed that Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes had the ultimate contact as he toed the ball in entrance of Alisson in the direction of Smallbone who was in an offside place as that point. VAR referee Matt Donohue apparently didn’t spot this, and the guests have been awarded the purpose.
Talking on Sky Sports activities, he mentioned:
“I’m simply fearful concerning the purpose. They’ve clearly checked it with VAR, however I’ve checked out it three or 4 occasions, I’m satisfied it’s offside.
“The Southampton participant has gone to problem the keeper, it’s touched his foot and gone ahead and Smallbone’s left foot appears to be in entrance of the defender. Except there was one other defender outdoors that we are able to’t decide up on the TV, however he appears offside for my part.”
Arne Slot’s facet cruising in the direction of Premier League glory
The win towards Southampton and Arsenal’s draw towards Man United means there’s a 15 factors distinction between the 2 of them on the high, with Liverpool having performed a sport further.
Whereas, mathematically, Arsenal are nonetheless within the title race, it will take extraordinary circumstances like factors deductions for Liverpool to lose the title from right here.
Even when the Reds lose 4 out the remaining 9 video games, they might nonetheless win the league on purpose distinction, on condition that the Gunners win each single sport between now and the tip of the season.
That mentioned, Arne Slot’s facet are but to play the likes of Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, and can know higher than anybody else to not get carried away simply as but.
