Liverpool analysis: Mohamed Salah's big moment worth the wait as Naby Keita gamble pays off

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David Lynch5 April 2019

The Liverpool fans huddled behind the goal at St Mary’s looked like they enjoyed it in the end, but this can’t truly have been much fun.

How often are the Reds going to put their supporters through the wringer over 90 minutes in this thrilling Premier League title race?

All’s well that ends well, of course, and the visitors couldn’t have asked for more than a 3-1 win that takes them back to the summit of the English top-flight.

But the next five games - the ones that will decide if this trophy is heading to Anfield - should perhaps come with a health warning for those who are emotionally invested.

Salah’s big moment worth the wait

Mohamed Salah had not scored in eight games before finding the net at St Mary's
Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Eight long games Liverpool fans have waited to see Mohamed Salah’s trademark open-armed celebration - boy was it worth it.

Fans in the away end could have been forgiven for urging the Egyptian to pass to the arriving Roberto Firmino as he streaked toward goal, but there was never any chance of that happening.

Liverpool’s No.11 certainly didn’t look to be carrying any mental burden as he picked out the far side of Angus Gunn’s net with a finish reminiscent of so many of his efforts last season.

And you could see how much it meant to him as he whipped his shirt off in front of the celebrating Reds fans in the immediate aftermath.

If that is the start of a big period for Salah, he could not have timed it any better.

Keita gamble pays off

Naby Keita scored his first Liverpool goal against Southampton on Friday
AFP/Getty Images

You suspect his involvement may have come about as a result of Adam Lallana’s absence through injury, but Naby Keita certainly didn’t let anyone down at St Mary’s.

Like many of his colleagues, the Guinean struggled in the opening 20 minutes as Southampton’s press and endeavour proved too much to handle.

However, he could not have picked a better time to open his Liverpool account with the sort of goal you don’t usually associate with twinkle-toed playmakers.

And he went on to build on that contribution, ensuring Klopp had no thoughts of taking him off during his second-half midfield reshuffle.

For a man who cost £50million, these are small steps toward what has been expected but Keita showed on Friday night that he is far from ready to give up on his Anfield dream.

Midfield configuration gets there eventually

Liverpool's midfield - including Georginio Wijnaldum - struggled in the first half but improved thereafter
Getty Images

In fairness to Keita and his fellow midfielders, Liverpool’s first-half struggles in the centre of the park weren’t solely to do with personnel.

Klopp had clearly instructed his players to leave Fabinho as the sole pivot, with Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum pushing on to give Southampton something to think about.

That resulted in too many men ahead of the ball as the hosts went long and picked up seemingly every second ball during their best period of the game.

But, as time wore on, the Reds’ selection began to pay off, with their ability to pick pockets in front of a five-man defence helping them to create more regularly.

These are the risks managers sometimes need to take, and Klopp will be delighted this one came off.

Pressure back on Manchester City

Manchester City's next Premier League fixture is against Crystal Palace on April 14
AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool teased their title rivals once again, but Manchester City were denied breathing space on Friday evening.

How Pep Guardiola’s men could do with some margin for error going into a period that will see them contest tricky Premier League fixtures, a Champions League double-header against Tottenham, and an FA Cup semi-final.

If City somehow don’t crack under this pressure, they will deserve the quadruple trophy victory it will likely bring about.

If it is Liverpool lifting the league championship in May, this relentless run of wins will have much to do with it.

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