Liverpool blew the chance to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League as Danny Ings’ strike earned Southampton a 1-0 victory at St. Mary’s.
The England forward hooked home inside two minutes and Jurgen Klopp’s side could not find a way back into the game as Saints 'keeper Fraser Forster kept a clean sheet on his first Premier League start since May 2019.
Ings, who joined Southampton on loan from Liverpool in 2018 before making the transfer permanent a year later, gave his side the lead as he latched on to James Ward-Prowse's free kick before sending a deft left-footed lob over Alisson into the net.
Liverpool, who drew 0-0 at Newcastle United, did not manage a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes but then dominated the second half, though Sadio Mane’s scuffed effort was as close as they came as a concerted effort by the massed ranks of Southampton's defence kept them out.
The victory lifts Southampton to sixth in the table on 29 points, behind Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on goal difference, while Liverpool stay top on 33 points ahead of Manchester United, who have a game in hand, on goal difference.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
