Jota gets brace as Liverpool break Southampton

Liverpool's lengthy unbeaten run turned into ended by excessive-flying West Ham in advance this month however they've clicked effects returned into gear, scoring 10 goals without respond in three games given that that defeat.

Portugal forward Jota scored a primary-half of double at Anfield, with Thiago Alcantara including a 3rd to efficaciously cease the competition in opposition to their demoralised opponents eight mins before half-time. A goal from former Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk early inside the second half underlined the dominance of the home side.

Jurgen Klopp's crew, who won the Premier League in 2020, have now scored 39 goals in thirteen league games this season, nine extra than Chelsea, who host Manchester United on Sunday. Klopp reverted to his most powerful line-up for the visit of Ralph Hasenhuttl's Southampton once they beat Porto 2-zero in midweek and became rewarded with a goal inside mins.

Andy Robertson mixed nicely with Sadio Mane down the left and were given to the byline to drag lower back for Jota, who scored from close range. Mane had the ball inside the internet again after he changed into fouled by using Jan Bednarek -- the Senegalese forward headed home the ensuing Robertson unfastened-kick -- but the flag went up for offside.

Mohamed Salah went close but Southampton themselves had an excellent hazard to equalise whilst Armando Broja failed to beat goalkeeper Alisson Becker after seizing on a careless Liverpool throw. Jota doubled his tally within the thirty second minute after Southampton have been reduce open down their proper aspect. Salah accumulated a smart go back skip from Jordan Henderson to slip a low move to Jota, who tapped home from close range.

Midfielder Thiago made it two goals in as many video games with a deflected shot eight mins earlier than half of-time to genuinely seal the 3 factors for Liverpool. The unfastened-scoring home aspect picked up in which they'd left off after the spoil while Van Dijk scored in opposition to his former membership, squeezing a low volley domestic after a corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool, who play Everton in the Merseyside derby in midweek, now have 28 factors after thirteen video games following their 8th win of the season.

Elsewhere, Steven Gerrard earned his 2nd successive win considering taking fee of Aston Villa as the former Rangers boss masterminded a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace. Exposing Palace's set-piece weakness, Villa went in front after 15 minutes when Matt Targett fired home for his first league goal due to the fact that 2019 after the hosts didn't clear Ashley Young's corner. Villa's Douglas Luiz escaped a purple card in the 72nd minute for a late tackle on Cheikhou Kouyate, the midfielder first of all being despatched off before the selection became overturned after a VAR take a look at.

John McGinn compounded Palace's frustration within the 86th minute as he grabbed Villa's killer 2nd from Anwar El Ghazi's bypass. Marc Guehi's 95th-minute goal become little consolation for Palace. Dean Smith, the man Gerrard replaced at Villa, stays unbeaten as Norwich boss after the second one-bottom Canaries drew 0-zero with Wolves at Carrow Road. Brighton host suffering Leeds in Saturday's overdue in shape.