Liverpool 3–1 Southampton Player Ratings: Salah’s Brace Got Liverpool Closer to the 20th League Title

After a much-needed one-goal advantage in the Champions League fixture, Liverpool hosted Southampton at Anfield on 8th October 2025. The main focus of Arne Slot’s army is to get a win and carry on with their momentum. While the traveling team got a late lead in the first half, the Reds bounced back with a brace from Salah before Darwin Nunez scored the equalizer to have a 3-1 score.

The game started with the trademark Liverpool Way. From the early minutes, they pressed hard anytime they lost the ball. With the one-two touches around the box, they almost opened up the defense before Curtis Jones failed to guide the ball from a Gravenberch pass in the 5th minute. The game had to be halted for a few minutes as the Southampton defender Bednarek took a hit from a clash. He was subbed off in the 19th minute before the game resumed.

We saw a moment of magic from the generational right back of Liverpool as he volleyed a stunning pass to Mo Salah. Even though there was no end product from that pass, it was pure bliss. The game went back and forth for a while before it was the 45th minute. And right when it seemed to be a 0-0 score in the first half, a misunderstanding between Alisson and Van Dijk saw Smallbone scoring the first goal of the match.

The first-half whistle blew out and it was Liverpool 0-1 Southampton. At the beginning of the 2nd half, Liverpool made three changes and brought in Robertson, Mac Allister, and Elliott. The 50th minute saw a glimpse of South American magic as Diaz’s run in the box and the pass in the box found Nunez who finished it to make the score 1-1.

In the 53rd minute, Darwin Nunez won Liverpool a penalty and the crowd broke out “Nunez Nunez Nunez.” Mo Salah stepped up and scored the goal to move up to the top 3 Liverpool all-time goal scorers. The 84th-minute shenanigans in the Southampton box pointed out another penalty for Liverpool. Sugawara’s deliberate handball was penalized and the Reds got the penalty after it was checked by the referee. The Egyptian King converted again and made it 3-1 for his team.

After the 90 minutes, 7 additional minutes were given. However, with no further action from each side, the score stood 3-1. Here are Liverpool vs Southampton Player Ratings.

Liverpool Player Ratings

GK-Alisson-5/10

Had to make a few ‘training drill’ saves in the first half. Had nothing to do when he was caught off-guard on the first goal.

RB-Alexander-Arnold-6.5/10

Such a talent! Even though the new management saw him playing a different role this campaign, there are times when he gives the fans a glimpse of his talent. And his 32nd-minute pass to Mo was just another example of the Englishman’s talent. In the 72nd minute, we saw another glimpse of his passing talent.

CB-Van dijk-5/10

While the captain of the team had a solid presence in the backline, he was found asking too much of his Brazilian Keeper, which saw them concede the first goal.

CB-Konate-5.5/10

The enforcer of Liverpool had a decent game in the first half.

LB-Tsimikas-5/10

Was busy with his attacking duties today. Got himself booked in the first half but the Greek left-back had a good performance today. He was subbed off at the start of 2nd half.

CM-Gravenberch-6/10

Showed some of the smoothest drop-off-the-shoulders in the opposition box the game has seen in a while. However, he couldn’t find the room to shoot. Amazing work ethic shown by the Dutchman.

CM-Jones-5.5/10

Probably the midfielder whose performance will not be noticed by the majority today. Knew what his role was today and most importantly, knew what his role was today. A lot of clever passes came from him today. He was subbed off at the beginning of the second half. Scored his second spot-kick as well. It was a great evening for the Egyptians.

RM-Salah-5.5/10

Was not that much influential as he would have liked in the first half. He was found tightly marked in a lot of time. Scored the 2nd goal from the spot kick and upped his tally for the season.

LM-Diaz-5/10

Was busy in the left flank today. Tried to make something happen multiple times by cutting in. He was the man who made the assist for the much-needed goal.

CAM-Szoboszlai-5.5/10

Had to do a lot of defensive work in the first half. On a lot of occasions, he was at the right place at the right time in his box. The Hungarian was subbed off after the 2nd half began.

ST-Nunez-5/10

Having Jota fit and fine for Tuesday’s fixture led to the decision of Nunez to start the game. Just like the majority of the games, any time he has the ball, he seems to be in a hurry. A little composure and we could have seen the first goal from him today in the first half. His frustration was there for everyone to see as he made an unnecessary challenge that saw him get a yellow card. Everything changed as in the beginning of the second half he scored the equalizer from a Diaz pass. He was subbed off to introduce Diogo Jota.

Manager-Arne Slot- 6/10

Was in the stands looking at the match. Would’ve done anything to be in his touchline for his team. Still was very much influential in his team’s result.

Sub-Elliott-5/10

Came in the 2nd half and immediately made an impact.

Sub-Robertson-4/10

Came with Harvey Elliott in the 2nd half to replace Tsimikas.

Sub-Mac Allister-4/10

The Argentine came in to replace Szoboszlai in the 2nd half.

Sub-Jota-4.5/10

Came in to replace Nunez. His time on the pitch was crucial as he is supposed to start the game on Tuesday.

Sub-Endo-4/10

Came in to replace Gravenberch and to close the game.

Southampton Player Ratings

GK-Ramsdale-4/10

Caught off-guard in the second half and was beaten on multiple occasions by the Liverpool forwards.

RB-Walker-Peters-4/10

Was busy with his defensive duties in the first half.

CB-Harwood-Bells-4/10

Connected well with the center-back partner who came on early in the game. He won 2 out of his 2 aerial duels in the first half.

CB-Bednarek-4.5/10

Seemed to have a solid command of the defense line in the early minutes. However, his playing time today was short-lived due to a clash in the 13th minute that saw him get off the pitch.

LB-Manning-4.5/10

Made sure of a tight marking as he was tasked to keep Salah at bay. Done his task diligently in the first half.

CM-Ugochukwu-4.5/10

Before the second half, he recorded 92% pass accuracy in the match.

CM-Smallbone-5.5/10

An error between the two veterans of Liverpool saw him making the most out of the opportunity and scoring the first goal.

RM-Dibling-4.5/10

Before the second half, he had a total of 28 touches. He was instrumental in the midfield today. He was subbed off in the 63rd minute.

LM-Sulemana–4/10

Before the second half, he had 70% pass accuracy and 17 touches of the ball.

CM-Fernandez-5/10

Had a decent game this evening. Made a stunning cross from the center of the pitch. However, nobody could guide the incoming cross.

ST-Gronbaek-4.5/10

The forward had a total of 14 touches in the first half. He ensured 57% pass accuracy. He was subbed off in the 63rd minute.

Manager-Juric-3/10

Was the unhappy manager between the two.

Sub-Bella-Ketchup-4/10

Was an early substitution because of the center-back injury Southampton had to suffer.

Sub-Sugawara-4/10

Came in the 63rd minute as the boss wanted fresh legs in the match.

Sub-Archer-4/10

Came along Sugawara in the 63rd minute to change the fortunes for his team.

Sub-Lallana-4/10

The ex-Liverpool man came in the 71st minute to make a change to the result.

Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match goes to Mo Salah.