Liverpool defeats Southampton 3-1, extends title lead

Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged he made a mistake by starting Dominik Szoboszlai in the team's 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton, noting a drop in the midfielder's energy levels for the first time this season. Despite trailing at halftime due to a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson that allowed Southampton to score, Slot made significant halftime changes, including substituting Szoboszlai for Harvey Elliott. The tactical adjustments paid off, with Darwin Nunez equalizing shortly after the break and Mohamed Salah scoring two penalties to secure the win. Slot's decisions were influenced by Szoboszlai's demanding performance in previous matches, including a Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. After the match, Slot expressed frustration with the first-half performance but was pleased with the team's resilience in the second half, helping them maintain a 16-point lead in the league. The victory marked Liverpool's 21st league win of the season, further solidifying their position at the top of the table.