Liverpool 3-1 Southampton: Darwin Nunez scores two as Nathan Jones loses first Saints game - BBC Sport
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Liverpool 3-1 Southampton: Darwin Nunez scores two as Nathan Jones loses first Saints game

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport at Anfield

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1110

Nathan Jones' Southampton reign got off to a losing start as Liverpool signed off for the World Cup break with a comfortable win at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino put the disappointment of missing out on a place in the Brazil squad for Qatar behind him by heading the Reds ahead before Saints equalised through the unmarked Che Adams.

In an entertaining game, two goals by Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez before half-time put Liverpool in control.

Nunez, one of seven Reds players heading for the World Cup as it stands, made it 2-1 when he poked past Gavin Bazunu from close range before tapping home the third after Andy Robertson's assist.

Liverpool would have won by more but for two outstanding stops by Bazunu, the 20-year-old denying both Mohamed Salah and Firmino at close range.

Reds keeper Alisson also produced a couple of quality saves after half-time, including one to keep out Adams' header in the 77th-minute.

Reds sign off for World Cup break in style

Darwn Nuez scores for Liverpool against Southampton in the Premier League
Darwin Nunez has scored 18 goals in his 25 league appearances in 2022 for Benfica and Liverpool

Liverpool started the day eighth in the table but temporarily moved up into sixth, five points off a Champions League spot, ahead of the games to come later on Saturday and on Sunday.

The Reds were without Ibrahima Konate and Jordan Henderson - who are due to go to the World Cup with France and England respectively - while manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to watch this game from the stands as he served a touchline ban.

Yet Liverpool's players enjoyed themselves in the absence of their German boss from the dugout as they scored all three goals in an enthralling opening 45 minutes.

The Reds have seven players going to the World Cup as it stands - Alisson (Brazil), Fabinho (Brazil), Konate (France), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England), Jordan Henderson (England), Nunez (Uruguay) and Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands).

Klopp will spend the next few weeks with those staying behind including Mohamed Salah and Firmino.

It was striking how all of Firmino's outfield team-mates celebrated with him after scoring his seventh Premier League goal of the season after the disappointment of his omission from Brazil's squad.

There was a landmark moment for 36-year-old James Milner when he came on in the second half for his 600th Premier League appearance.

Big job ahead for Jones

Jones will welcome the forthcoming Premier League break as it gives him time on the training pitch to get his ideas across to his new players.

The Welshman faces a big job keeping Southampton in the Premier League after taking over from Ralph Hasenhuttl, who was sacked following last week's 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle.

Saints are two points from safety after one win in 10 top-flight games.

There is a risk element to Jones taking over due to his inexperience at Premier League level and time will tell if his appointment pays off.

Southampton contributed to an enjoyable game and Jones will be encouraged with how his players responded after falling behind to Firmino's goal.

The performance of Bazunu, who was playing in League One on loan last season, was also a positive but this is a young Saints team.

As well as 20-year-old Bazunu, Southampton's line-up against Liverpool included 18-year-old Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia and 20-year-old defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, who is going to the World Cup with Germany.

Player of the match

RobertsonAndrew Robertson

with an average of 8.09

Liverpool

  1. Squad number26Player nameRobertson
    Average rating

    8.09

  2. Squad number27Player nameNúñez
    Average rating

    8.05

  3. Squad number9Player nameRoberto Firmino
    Average rating

    7.89

  4. Squad number19Player nameElliott
    Average rating

    7.78

  5. Squad number1Player nameAlisson
    Average rating

    7.74

  6. Squad number6Player nameThiago Alcántara
    Average rating

    7.65

  7. Squad number7Player nameMilner
    Average rating

    7.59

  8. Squad number3Player nameFabinho
    Average rating

    7.42

  9. Squad number28Player nameFábio Carvalho
    Average rating

    7.35

  10. Squad number47Player namePhillips
    Average rating

    7.32

  11. Squad number15Player nameOxlade-Chamberlain
    Average rating

    7.24

  12. Squad number21Player nameTsimikas
    Average rating

    7.23

  13. Squad number11Player nameMohamed Salah
    Average rating

    7.08

  14. Squad number4Player namevan Dijk
    Average rating

    6.72

  15. Squad number66Player nameAlexander-Arnold
    Average rating

    6.39

  16. Squad number2Player nameGomez
    Average rating

    6.38

Southampton

  1. Squad number8Player nameWard-Prowse
    Average rating

    6.78

  2. Squad number10Player nameAdams
    Average rating

    5.90

  3. Squad number17Player nameS Armstrong
    Average rating

    5.61

  4. Squad number45Player nameLavia
    Average rating

    5.59

  5. Squad number31Player nameBazunu
    Average rating

    5.47

  6. Squad number23Player nameEdozie
    Average rating

    5.28

  7. Squad number15Player namePerraud
    Average rating

    5.20

  8. Squad number24Player nameElyounoussi
    Average rating

    4.91

  9. Squad number9Player nameA Armstrong
    Average rating

    4.81

  10. Squad number7Player nameAribo
    Average rating

    4.73

  11. Squad number22Player nameSalisu
    Average rating

    4.69

  12. Squad number4Player nameLyanco
    Average rating

    4.68

  13. Squad number3Player nameMaitland-Niles
    Average rating

    4.58

  14. Squad number32Player nameWalcott
    Average rating

    4.54

  15. Squad number37Player nameBella-Kotchap
    Average rating

    4.54

  16. Squad number6Player nameCaleta-Car
    Average rating

    4.53

Line-ups

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Alisson
  • 66Alexander-ArnoldSubstituted forPhillipsat 87'minutes
  • 2Gomez
  • 4van Dijk
  • 26RobertsonSubstituted forTsimikasat 86'minutes
  • 19ElliottSubstituted forMilnerat 68'minutes
  • 3Fabinho
  • 6Thiago Alcántara
  • 11Salah
  • 9FirminoSubstituted forOxlade-Chamberlainat 75'minutes
  • 27NúñezSubstituted forCarvalhoat 87'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Milner
  • 13Adrián
  • 15Oxlade-Chamberlain
  • 21Tsimikas
  • 28Carvalho
  • 43Bajcetic
  • 47Phillips
  • 50Doak
  • 62Kelleher

Southampton

Formation 5-3-2

  • 31Bazunu
  • 24Elyounoussi
  • 37Bella-KotchapSubstituted forLyancoat 72'minutes
  • 6Caleta-CarBooked at 5minsSubstituted forMaitland-Nilesat 59'minutes
  • 22SalisuBooked at 66mins
  • 15Perraud
  • 8Ward-Prowse
  • 45LaviaSubstituted forAriboat 82'minutes
  • 17S ArmstrongSubstituted forWalcottat 58'minutes
  • 9A ArmstrongSubstituted forEdozieat 59'minutes
  • 10Adams

Substitutes

  • 1McCarthy
  • 3Maitland-Niles
  • 4Lyanco
  • 7Aribo
  • 18Mara
  • 19Djenepo
  • 23Edozie
  • 27Diallo
  • 32Walcott
Referee:
Simon Hooper
Attendance:
53,331

Match Stats

Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamSouthampton
Possession
Home60%
Away40%
Shots
Home15
Away9
Shots on Target
Home7
Away5
Corners
Home6
Away0
Fouls
Home8
Away8

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Liverpool 3, Southampton 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Liverpool 3, Southampton 1.

  3. Post update

    James Milner (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Mohammed Salisu (Southampton).

  5. Post update

    Offside, Southampton. James Ward-Prowse tries a through ball, but Theo Walcott is caught offside.

  6. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Konstantinos Tsimikas with a cross.

  7. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Lyanco.

  8. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

  9. Post update

    Foul by James Milner (Liverpool).

  10. Post update

    Che Adams (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  11. Post update

    Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Konstantinos Tsimikas with a cross following a corner.

  12. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Nathaniel Phillips replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Fábio Carvalho replaces Darwin Núñez.

  15. Substitution

    Substitution, Liverpool. Konstantinos Tsimikas replaces Andrew Robertson.

  16. Post update

    James Milner (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Romain Perraud (Southampton).

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. Fabinho (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Andrew Robertson with a cross following a corner.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Southampton. Joe Aribo replaces Roméo Lavia because of an injury.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Mohammed Salisu.

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Comments

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These comments are now closed.

1110 comments

  • Comment posted by HarryJsAllstar, at 17:03 12 Nov 2022

    As a Chelsea fan I would like to say Well Done to James Milner - a superb pro, and any player who gets to 600 league appearances is clearly exceptional.

    • Reply posted by trewo, at 17:08 12 Nov 2022

      trewo replied:
      He went into semi-retirement aged 24 when left Villa to be a bit-part player at Man City and then Liverpool.

  • Comment posted by paul c, at 17:06 12 Nov 2022

    I got fed up with the constant refrain that Salah dives. Today he was fouled but stayed on his feet. No penalty given. Surely a foul is a foul.

    • Reply posted by eric, at 17:36 12 Nov 2022

      eric replied:
      You were playing Southampton, he saves the dives until he plays the big games

  • Comment posted by peelyon, at 17:01 12 Nov 2022

    Congratulations to James Milner on 600. True professional.

    • Reply posted by Ceciliars, at 17:08 12 Nov 2022

      Ceciliars replied:
      And to Nunez for continuing to silence people who want him to fail.

  • Comment posted by Bazil, at 16:58 12 Nov 2022

    600 club for Milner . Superb pro. Well played the reds. Allison ,great when needed . Elliott lookin better with every game… Nunez seams to be better in the formation. Not much for the trolls tonight then. 👏🤡👋👋👋👋

    • Reply posted by Celts, at 18:00 12 Nov 2022

      Celts replied:
      Nunez has to be a shoe in for November player of the month?

  • Comment posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:08 12 Nov 2022

    Seven goals in ten games for Darwin Nunez

    • Reply posted by trewo, at 17:20 12 Nov 2022

      trewo replied:
      Has he learnt the lesson about not head-butting people yet?

  • Comment posted by Tiddlywinks, at 16:55 12 Nov 2022

    Now 6 weeks without proper football with this stupid world cup that shouldn't be taking place mid season let alone in Qatar. Roll on around Christmas when real football is back

    • Reply posted by this is sparta, at 17:08 12 Nov 2022

      this is sparta replied:
      Don't watch the
      WC then, Qatar don't care and it's about time WC is in a different country, bet they have better services then Europe USA

  • Comment posted by Sunshineonyou, at 17:08 12 Nov 2022

    Allison is the best keeper in the world.

    • Reply posted by nathanhogan, at 17:45 12 Nov 2022

      nathanhogan replied:
      And striker.....he's the best in the world, he's Bobby Firmino

  • Comment posted by Noisy Neighbour, at 17:07 12 Nov 2022

    Never any doubt from any Liverpool fan that Nunez would soon start scoring for fun.

    • Reply posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 18:27 12 Nov 2022

      Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      Nunez is just getting going, and should only get better and better from here on out.
      A good result against a potential banana skin opponent. Nice to enter the world cup break on a positive.

  • Comment posted by wishiwasinliverpool, at 17:04 12 Nov 2022

    Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand relax.

    Meanwhile, at the Etihad and Bournemouth 🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • Reply posted by pepiliverpool, at 17:22 12 Nov 2022

      pepiliverpool replied:
      It was Brentford

  • Comment posted by FootOfDavros, at 17:06 12 Nov 2022

    Haaland's goals have dried up.

    Now it's Nunez time!

    • Reply posted by Malc, at 17:23 12 Nov 2022

      Malc replied:
      Haaland was injured

  • Comment posted by Denis Back-Heel Law, at 17:00 12 Nov 2022

    Allison ~ superb today man of the match Brazil No.1

    • Reply posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 18:30 12 Nov 2022

      Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      Nice way to warm up for the world cup games.

  • Comment posted by JM, at 17:11 12 Nov 2022

    The way Elliott and Nunez played today gives me confidence in our future XI.

    • Reply posted by Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs, at 19:28 12 Nov 2022

      Blue Billion Pound Bottle Jobs replied:
      Have all the confidence in the Liverpool's forwards, it is the midfielders that need work.

  • Comment posted by RedMercury-77, at 16:58 12 Nov 2022

    Great to see Nunez starting to settle in comfortably now.

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:27 12 Nov 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      He is starting to motor. If he keeps scoring at this rate then he could get near Haaland

  • Comment posted by HeyJudeChants, at 17:01 12 Nov 2022

    Hopefully won't be so many Andy Carroll comparisons and "Haaland is a bargain" rubbish to weed through on today's thread

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:10 12 Nov 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Of course they will. Bring it on as it justs make thenselves look like prized idiots

  • Comment posted by cunny, at 17:07 12 Nov 2022

    Darwin is settling in nicely will be prolific for years to come

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:43 12 Nov 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Watch out Haaland. He is on a mission

  • Comment posted by Hairy Potter, at 16:56 12 Nov 2022

    What an outstanding player Nunez is, he has all of the hallmarks of the greatest strikers ever seen in world football. His movement is exceptional his finishing is fantastic and his awareness of where his team mates are on the pitch is second to none.
    He is faster than Haaland too in a straight line for speed. Liverpool are moving into top gear.

    • Reply posted by D1691645275542, at 22:41 12 Nov 2022

      D1691645275542 replied:
      Admire your humour.

  • Comment posted by uWotM8, at 17:01 12 Nov 2022

    Greatest team in the history of English football signing off with a easy win before world Cup. Nunes finding his feet. Positives

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:10 12 Nov 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Has he scored more goals than Rashford this season