Strikes on either half from Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling gave Brendon Rogers’ side the win they so desperately needed to start climbing back to the apex of the log and within Uefa Champions League reckoning, at the expense of the side that held the last available spot with just 12 matches remaining. Now Liverpool lie sixth on the log, a point and a step below Southampton and just a win away from Arsenal, who are placed third on the log. With that, their destiny remains in their own hands.
The win over Southampton should have served as a good morale-booster ahead of a crunch tie at home to second-placed Manchester City on Sunday. With none of the other top teams coming against one another, the Liverpool-City clash is undoubtedly the pick of the weekend matches.
City moved to within five points of runaway leaders Chelsea, following their 5-0 demolition of struggling Newcastle United last weekend and will definitely go into the Sunday tie well prepared to do a double over Liverpool, who they beat 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
Chelsea, who stuttered to a1-1 home draw against lowly Burnley, will have an away tie against West Ham to redeem themselves, on March 4, while Manchester United, shock 2-1 losers at Swansea last weekend, host Sunderland on Saturday.
Arsenal host Everton on Sunday, a day after Swansea visit Burnley seeking to redeem themselves and keep the fight for a European spot.
Other Fixtures:
Saturday: West Ham United vs Crystal Palace; Newcastle United vs Aston Villa; Stoke City vs Hull City; West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton
Post published in: Football