Liverpool produced a rapid response to bottom side Southampton taking a shock lead at Anfield, as the Reds extended their advantage over Arsenal to a huge 16 points and took another step closer to the Premier League title on day which saw Mohamed Salah make more history.

Struggling Southampton started the day 58 points behind Liverpool in the table but grew in confidence in the first half and stunned Anfield with the opening goal. Alisson, Liverpool’s hero in Paris in midweek, was at fault as Will Smallbone profited from a breakdown of communication between the goalkeeper and Virgil van Dijk.

Arne Slot made a triple change at the break and Liverpool’s response was immediate. Darwin Nunez, who may have been sent off for a kick at Kyle Walker-Peters, turned in at the front post shortly after the restart and was then fouled in the box by Smallbone.

Up stepped Salah, who moved into third in Liverpool’s all-time goalscorers list. And a second penalty for Salah, in the 86th minute, took him level with Sergio Aguero in the all-time Premier League scoring charts with 184.

Follow all the reaction Liverpool came from behind to beat Southampton in the Premier League

Liverpool vs Southampton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• Liverpool come from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield

• Reds now 16 points clear of Arsenal, who have two games in hand

• Salah moves level with Aguero into fifth in all-time Premier League goals

• 86' GOAL! Salah scores second from spot as Liverpool wrap up win (LIV 3-1 SOU)

• 55' GOAL! Salah scores from spot as Liverpool turn it around (LIV 2-1 SOU)

• 53' PENALTY! Nunez fouled in box as Southampton complain (LIV 1-1 SOU)

• 51' GOAL! Nunez fires in from Diaz cross as Liverpool respond (LIV 1-1 SOU)

• 45+3' YELLOW! Nunez survives VAR check after kicking Walker-Peters (LIV 0-1 SOU)

• 45+1' GOAL! Southampton take shock lead after Alisson error (LIV 0-1 SOU)

Liverpool FC 3 - 1 Southampton FC

Darwin Nunez rises to Arne Slot’s call and leads a Liverpool transformation

18:39 , Richard Jolly

Arne Slot had talked his way into trouble. When an ignominious defeat beckoned for Liverpool he may have talked them out of it. Confined to the directors’ box for his verbal assault on Michael Oliver after the Merseyside derby, Slot’s touchline ban did not prevent him going to the dressing room at half-time. However angry he was, his words changed the game.

Mohamed Salah described his manager’s mood as “a bit of frustration”. Slot probably showed a nice line in understatement when he said: “I didn’t give them compliments at half-time, I can tell you.” Three changes came immediately, two goals soon after. Victory followed, just as the title surely will. It may render this a footnote.

Darwin Nunez rises to Arne Slot’s call and leads an eventful Liverpool transformation

Mohamed Salah on moving level with Sergio Aguero on 184 PL goals

18:16 , Jamie Braidwood

“I knew about the record but I didn’t think about it while I was playing. But I know about the record. It’s a good record to be equalising; Sergio is a great player, he was a legend here for the league. So I’m happy about that and I’m happy about the win as well.”

Liverpool equal 90-year scoring record

18:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool have now gone 19 successive home games where they have scored at least two goals, equalling Sunderland's top-flight record from 1935.

Harvey Elliott's on Liverpool lead in Premier League

17:52 , Jamie Braidwood

A couple of days after his impact in the Parc des Princes, Harvey Elliott helped change the game with another productive display off the bench in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Southampton.

"In my eyes, it's just my job to come on and influence the game where I can,” Elliott told the BBC. "The last two games have been very tough - it is not about me, it's about the whole team.

"It was an intense game. Especially with the travel, we only had one day to prepare for this game and hats off to Southampton - they made it tough throughout the whole game.

"We need to keep winning games - it's as simple as that. It's about taking it game-by-game and making sure we apply ourselves in the best possible way."

Arne Slot's changes key to Liverpool comeback

17:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Arne Slot - who was serving the final game of his touchline suspension in the Main Stand - responded to Liverpool’s lacklustre first-half display with three interval substitutions.

Wednesday's match-winner Harvey Elliott, Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister made an immediate difference as the tempo increased with Luis Diaz, who was lucky to escape the half-time cull after a lethargic display, also positively impacted.

With one of his first touches, Elliott forced the first save out of Aaron Ramsdale, with Robertson flicking an effort wide from a half-cleared corner. It was the spark Liverpool needed and they turned the game around in the space of five minutes against the bottom side.

Mohamed Salah on Liverpool's win over Southampton

17:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Mohamed Salah has been speaking to Premier League productions and admits Liverpool “did not play well” in the first half against Southampton.

"It was a bit of frustration,” Salah said when asked what the emotions were at half-time. “We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don't think we played good today.

“If you want to win the Champions League or Premier League you have to win these games like that."

When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?

17:18

Liverpool took another step closer to the Premier League title as a comeback victory over Southampton moved the Reds 16 points clear of Arsenal in the table with nine games remaining

Liverpool are now on 70 points through 29 games and the Reds need just 18 points out of a possible 27 to guarantee the title, with Arsenal only able to obtain a maximum of 87 points – if they were to win all of their remaining 11 games, that is.

Liverpool fans may still be looking over their shoulders with some nerves, but the truth is that the club is edging towards another top-flight title – but when is the earliest that they could clinch number 20?

When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?

FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

17:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Understandably, Liverpool may have been looking at Tuesday’s second leg with Paris Saint-Germain in the first half.

But they regained their focus after half time and can now look forward to a huge night at Anfield in two days’ time.

And it looks like Liverpool have come through unscathed, too.

FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

17:06 , Richard Jolly

A game of two halves. Liverpool were soporific in the first, far more energetic and effective in the second. Arne Slot's team talk at the break must have been interesting. It certainly had an impact.

FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

17:06 , Jamie Braidwood

More Premier League history for Salah. Only four players have more goals than him now, and that should be three by the end of the season...

260 - Alan Shearer

213 - Harry Kane

208 - Wayne Rooney

187 - Andy Cole

184 - Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero

FULL TIME! Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

16:59 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s it! It’s a sweet 16 for Liverpool. The gulf to Arsenal is massive though, although the Gunners have two games in hand starting with tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford.

Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

16:54 , Jamie Braidwood

90 mins: Job done for Liverpool. Quansah replaces Alexander-Arnold for the last few moments.

Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

16:52 , Richard Jolly

89 mins: Mohamed Salah's second penalty of the game takes him level with Sergio Aguero in the all-time Premier League scoring charts, with 184. Another game, another landmark for him.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Southampton (SALAH 86')

16:50 , Jamie Braidwood

A SECOND FROM THE SPOT FROM SALAH! He blasts it into the top corner, leaving Ramsdale with no chance.

And the three points are heading Liverpool’s way. Salah moves level with Sergio Aguero in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts, fifth of all time.

PENALTY! Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:49 , Jamie Braidwood

85 mins: It’s given! Sugawara handled on the byline as Diaz chased and got around the outside. Diaz, by the way, is back up.

It will be Salah vs Ramsdale again.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:48 , Jamie Braidwood

84 mins: Luis Diaz goes crashing to the ground as he and Harwood-Bellis challenged for a 50-50. This could be a penalty for Liverpool, too, as Sugawara has appeared to have handled the ball.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:44 , Jamie Braidwood

81 mins: Elliott tries his luck with a dipping, swerving shot from range, but it fades past the post. Endo replaces Gravenberch and will see out the final 15 minutes.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:42 , Jamie Braidwood

78 mins: Tireless work from Diaz to chase back and stop the Southampton counter-attack. You wouldn’t know Liverpool have a huge match on Tuesday, against Paris Saint-Germain, by how they’ve played in the second half.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:38 , Richard Jolly

74 mins: Harvey Elliott has been excellent in this second half. Perhaps Slot is regretting not starting him. The teamsheet must have made for a depressing sight for Elliott - if he doesn't start against the side bottom of the league, when does he? - but his response has been impressive.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:34 , Jamie Braidwood

70 mins: Southampton aren’t done yet. Archer, on in the second half, forces Alisson into a save at his near post.

Adam Lallana is welcomed back to Anfield as another Southampton change, after Diaz crossed for Salah.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:31 , Jamie Braidwood

67 mins: Well, there you go. Nunez, who may not start against PSG, is brought off for Jota. He was perhaps lucky that he wasn’t sent off in the first half for kicking out at Walker-Peters. But he’s been brilliant in the second, leading Liverpool’s fightback by scoring the equaliser and winning the penalty.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:29 , Jamie Braidwood

65 mins: Elliott, who has been bright since coming on at half time, heads over from Diaz’s cross. It will be interesting to see how Slot uses his subs now after the triple change at the break.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:27 , Richard Jolly

63 mins: Whatever Arne Slot said at half-time, it seems to have had a dramatic impact. Southampton did terrifically well in the first half but, given their season, it must be deflating to be losing again. Ivan Juric has made a double change to try and regain the initiative. It feels unlikely though.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:25 , Jamie Braidwood

59 mins: Salah moves out on his own into third place in Liverpool’s all-time goalscorers list, behind Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.

Salah now has 242 goals for the Reds.

Liverpool 2-1 Southampton

16:22 , Richard Jolly

57 mins: Liverpool look a different team in the second half, with more energy and more intent. Luis Diaz, bad before the break, set up Nunez's goal. Nunez, perhaps fortunate to still be on the pitch, has scored and won a penalty. Mohamed Salah, who often scores against Southampton, has done so again.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Southampton (SALAH 54')

16:17 , Jamie Braidwood

LIVERPOOL HAVE TURNED IT AROUND! IT’S ANOTHER FOR SALAH!

Never in doubt! Salah scores his 26th Premier League goal of the season. It’s been a superb response from Liverpool, with Slot’s half-time changes making the desired effect. They’ve been relentless since the restart.

PENALTY! Liverpool 1-1 Southampton

16:15 , Jamie Braidwood

AND NOW A LIVERPOOL PENALTY! IT’S NUNEZ AGAIN!

It’s very, very soft. Nunez goes down in the box under the challenge of Smallbone, and it’s given. Southampton complain but this will not be overturned. Up steps Salah.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Southampton (NUNEZ 51')

16:14 , Jamie Braidwood

NUNEZ MAKES AMENDS AND FIRES LIVERPOOL LEVEL!

Anfield erupts as Diaz gets to the byline and cuts it back. Nunez could have been off in the first half, but he survived and strikes at the near post with a thumping finish. Anfield erupts.

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

16:12 , Jamie Braidwood

49 mins: Whatever Arne Slot said, Liverpool have turned it on after half time. It could be a long second half for Southampton, but I’m sure they expected that. What they did not expect was having a lead to hold onto.

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

16:11 , Richard Jolly

48 mins: Arne Slot rarely makes triple substitutions at the break. He has done today, which is a sign of how poor Liverpool were before the break. It also means Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister didn't get much of a rest.

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

16:10 , Jamie Braidwood

47 mins: SAVE! Almost an immediate impact from Elliott! The Liverpool corner finds its way to the back-post. Elliott, the match winner in Paris, keeps his strike low but Ramsdale gets down and manages to tip it around the post. Great save.

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

16:09 , Jamie Braidwood

46 mins: Back underway, and a triple change for Liverpool: Robertson on for Tsimikas, Elliott for Jones and Mac Allister for Szoboszlai.

HALF-TIME! Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

16:07 , Jamie Braidwood

The title race looks to be over but... if Southampton do the unthinkable and win at Anfield, Arsenal could cut the gap to the Reds to seven if they win their next two games in hand.

HALF-TIME! Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

15:52 , Richard Jolly

A shock scoreline. And for Alisson, fresh from his heroics in Paris, a goal to show quickly fortunes can fluctuate. Between them, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk should have dealt with Ryan Manning's throw. Instead, the goalkeeper did not gather it and Will Smallbone scored his first Premier League goal.

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

15:50 , Richard Jolly

45+4 mins: Darwin Nunez has survived a VAR check for a red card for a hack at Kyle Walker-Peters. A red card today would rule a Liverpool player out of the Carabao Cup final. Nunez and Tsimikas have a yellow apiece.

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

15:50 , Jamie Braidwood

45+3 mins: Darwin Nunez could be in trouble here. The Liverpool forward has swiped at Walker-Peters off the ball.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Southampton (SMALLBONE 46')

15:46 , Jamie Braidwood

WOW! WHO SAW THIS COMING!

That’s incredible. Alisson and Van Dijk, the heroes in midweek, make a real mess of clearing the ball, and Smallbone rolls the ball in to give Southampton the lead in front of a stunned Kop!

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:46 , Jamie Braidwood

45 mins: There will be five minutes added on as a result of the Bednarek injury. Liverpool are growing back into this but there was a real lull in their level about halfway through.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:43 , Jamie Braidwood

42 mins: Close! Better from Liverpool as they cut Southampton open - but Alexander-Arnold can’t square to Salah, who had a tap in.

From the corner, Nunez hooks goalward, but over.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:41 , Richard Jolly

40 mins: Slot's football can be more measured than Jurgen Klopp's but so far today the slower build-up hasn't benefited Liverpool. It has given Southampton time to get into shape and this has been a sedate affair. Less sedate was that Luis Diaz shot but it was wild and wide, which isn't what Liverpool need either.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:39 , Jamie Braidwood

37 mins: A better spell from Liverpool, with Alexander-Arnold heavily involved. His shot is blocked by Manning but Konate keeps them on the front foot.

Southampton break through Dibling but Gravenberch steps across and wins it back easily.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:37 , Jamie Braidwood

36 mins: Southampton are growing in confidence here. Fernandes puts in a teasing cross that evades Grønbæk, who had just peeled off the back of Konate.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:34 , Jamie Braidwood

33 mins: From the corner, Liverpool almost broke forward as Alexander-Arnold released Salah, but Fernandes tracked back well and cut out the cross towards Diaz.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:33 , Jamie Braidwood

32 mins: Tsimikas is booked for a foul on Walker-Peters from behind. The Southampton full-back was advancing. The free kick is cleared for a Southampton corner.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:33 , Jamie Braidwood

32 mins: Tsimikas is booked for a foul on Walker-Peters from behind. The Southampton full-back was advancing. The free kick is cleared for a Southampton corner.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:31 , Richard Jolly

31 mins: Half an hour gone and not too many alarms for Southampton so far. Jones' early chance was the best Liverpool have had. Aaron Ramsdale has made a couple of saves in the last few minutes, to deny Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez, and he may be rather busier in the next hour. But Southampton have shown glimpses of attacking intent, too.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:30 , Jamie Braidwood

30 mins: Gravenberch now feeds Nunez, who is sharp in turning onto his left foot. The strike is low but straight at Ramsdale. Easy save.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:28 , Jamie Braidwood

27 mins: Over! A now a half-chance for Nunez as Salah advances into the box. Szoboszlai takes a swing and it breaks to Nunez, but the header is over.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:27 , Jamie Braidwood

26 mins: SAVE! Gravenberch looks to go himself, cutting and weaving through the box. It breaks to Alexander-Arnold but Ramsdale gets down well.

Southampton looked to spring on the counter attack but Jones got back and helped the hosts outnumber those breaking forward.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:25 , Jamie Braidwood

24 mins: A third Southampton corner is quick succession, which again comes to nothing. But Liverpool have lost some of their early rhythm. The early shot for Jones remains the best chance of the game so far.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:23 , Jamie Braidwood

22 mins: Another Southampton attack, which was very rare in the opening 15 minutes or so. The visitors work it froward and Alexander-Arnold concedes the corner facing Sulemana.

Alisson has to make another save, this time from Fernandes from the edge of the box.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:20 , Jamie Braidwood

18 mins: Back underway after a stoppage of four minutes or so, and Southampton win a corner as Alexander-Arnold concedes while trying to guide the ball behind.

Alisson saves from Harwood-Bellis’s header.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:18 , Jamie Braidwood

16 mins: Perhaps it sums up Southampton's season, with plenty of self-inflicted harm. Manning is at least back on his feet sooner, but Bednarek looks to have been affected more.

Bednarek is coming off and Bella-Kotchap is replacing him.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:16 , Jamie Braidwood

14 mins: Ouch. Another worrying moment, this time for Southampton as Manning and Bednarek clash heads attempting to win a high ball.

Manning gets to his feet but Bednarek will need treatment.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:14 , Jamie Braidwood

13 mins: A nervy moment for Southampton as Smallbone received the ball with back to goal and with Liverpool players charging at him. Ramsdale clears.

Liverpool’s press has been so sharp early on.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:11 , Jamie Braidwood

10 mins: Ouch! A sore one for Diaz as he clatters into the advertising boards behind Southampton’s goal. The winger was put through over the top but Bednarek won the challenge, leaving Diaz crashing into the screens.

He’s back up though. Southampton clear the corner.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:08 , Richard Jolly

8 mins: Southampton are on a damage-limitation exercise, which is what their season has become. Their formation could be described as 4-4-2-0, with no one actually in attack. Certainly there is no specialist striker in Ivan Juric's starting 11. Will it work? Curtis Jones arguably should have put Liverpool ahead already when he shot wide.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:06 , Jamie Braidwood

6 mins: Chance! Liverpool work it well down the right as Alexander-Arnold finds Salah. It breaks to Jones 12 yards out but he drags wide! Jones was looking to sweep it past Ramsdale first-time. Wasn’t too far away.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:05 , Jamie Braidwood

4 mins: Van Dijk steps in to win possession back off Dibling, with Liverpool pushing Southampton deep into their half.

Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:04 , Jamie Braidwood

2 mins: Arne Slot watches on from the stands as the Liverpool head coach serves the second of his two-game touchline ban. He looks on as Liverpool start by taking charge of the ball, with a searching pass towards Nunez running out of play.

KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Southampton

15:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool get us underway at Anfield.

Chants of ‘Alisson, Alisson’ erupt from the Kop as we get going.

Liverpool vs Southampton

14:57 , Jamie Braidwood

The players are in the tunnel at Anfield and Southampton’s recent record at Liverpool does not offer much encouragement. The Reds have won 11 of their last 13 Premier League games against Southampton, while the Saints are winless in their past nine top-flight matches at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Southampton

14:44 , Richard Jolly, at Anfield

On paper, this should be the greatest mismatch in the Premier League this season: runaway leaders against the team cut adrift at the bottom. Arne Slot has done his best to suggest Southampton are tough opposition, and Liverpool's two wins over Saints this season both came by one-goal margins. Slot has suggested he is only rotating because Liverpool played Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday but he brings Darwin Nunez, Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones. But Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott are on the bench again. Neither has started a Premier League game this season. Perhaps neither will.

When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?

14:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool took another step closer to the Premier League title as their 2-0 win over Newcastle, coupled with Arsenal dropping more points at Nottingham Forest, moved the Reds 13 points clear at the top of the table.

Arne Slot’s side have extended their lead in recent days with wins over Manchester City and Newcastle and their 13-point margin with 10 games to play appears too great for Arsenal to overcome, although the Gunners have a game in hand.

The Reds need just 21 points out of a possible 30 to guarantee the title, with Arsenal only able to obtain a maximum of 87 points – if they were to win all of their remaining 11 games, that is.

Liverpool fans may still be looking over their shoulders with some nerves, but the truth is that the club is edging towards another top-flight title – but when is the earliest that they could clinch number 20?

When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?

Liverpool vs Southampton: Mind the gap

14:32 , Jamie Braidwood

The 58-point gap between Liverpool and Southampton prior to today’s kick-off is the largest between any two teams meeting in the Premier League since July 2020.

That was when Liverpool kicked off against Aston Villa, 59 points ahead of their opponents, in the season they last won the Premier League.

Southampton match a 'final' for Liverpool, says Arne Slot

14:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has urged players and fans to treat the visit of Southampton like a final and not be distracted by their Champions League exploits against Paris Saint-Germain.

After Wednesday's smash-and-grab 1-0 win in the French capital the attention is, understandably, on next week's Champions League last-16 second leg which is then followed by the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.

But Slot has issued a plea for everyone to get on board for the visit of Saints, saying: "For me the one against Southampton is by far the most important.

"I have to convince my players we play three finals and I am hoping that I influence our fans so they understand how important they are going to be.”

Southampton heading for one of the worst Premier League seasons ever

14:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Southampton are heading for one of the worst Premier League seasons of all time - and the Saints are still short of Derby County’s all-time record low of 11 points.

The Saints are on just nine points, having lost all but five of their 27 games in a miserable campaign, and sit 13 points adrift of Wolves having won just two games all season.

Southampton have been beaten in nine of 10 league matches under Ivan Juric, following his December appointment as successor to Russell Martin on an 18-month deal.

"I think there are a few managers who have been in this situation, like I am now, with nine points and only 11 games until the end. Personally, it's not easy," he said.

"You have to be tough and try to work with the guys. Be close to them. They understand they are young. This is the moment of growing up. This is the moment they have to remember in the future. They have to become tough in this moment.

"I have to be tough. I have to think that something good can happen in these bad times. And I'm focused on that."

'It's never mission impossible': Southampton's Ivan Juric ahead of Liverpool visit

14:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Southampton manager Ivan Juric insisted facing leaders Liverpool at Anfield is not “mission impossible” for the Premier League’s bottom side.

“We will try to do our best and we will see,” Juric said. "Before the match, I'm always optimistic and then after, maybe I think differently. But before the match, I always see the possibility of doing something good."

He added of Arne Slot's Reds: "When you play against Liverpool, sometimes it's the way you want to die.

"If you do some things, they will find another way to beat you. If you are low block, they will find a way to beat you. I think we have to be perfect in both things. Sometimes press, sometimes low block. We will see. We have to play well."

Southampton make six changes from Chelsea defeat

14:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Capped England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis starts after returning from injury while Jan Bednarek is also fit after missing the defeat at Chelsea. Lesley Ugochukwu also returns to the line-up after being ineligible against Chelsea.

Liverpool vs Southampton team news and line-ups

13:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Arne Slot names a strong team to face Southampton and makes just three changes from the side that started in the Parc des Princes, with Tsimikas, Jones and Nunez placing Robertson, Mac Allister and Jota.

That means Salah, Van Dijk and Gravenberch maintain their 100 per cent records in the Premier League this season. Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Szoboszlai, Diaz and Alisson all keep their places too.

Cody Gakpo is not on the bench due to an ankle issue.

Liverpool vs Southampton team news and line-ups

13:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Manning, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters, Gronbaek, Smallbone, Fernandes, Sulemana, Dibling.

Liverpool vs Southampton team news and line-ups

13:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Should be dropping in the next few minutes...

Arne Slot drops clue over Liverpool rotation plans ahead of Southampton ‘final’

13:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said today’s Premier League fixture against Southampton is the first of “three finals” this week but suggested he will make changes to his team ahead of the second leg of their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Top-scorer Mohamed Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch have started all 28 of their Premier League games this season but, with Tuesday’s tie with PSG followed by Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Sunday, Slot was asked whether he could rotate for the visit of Southampton.

He said: “If there was three, four, five days in between the last game and this one I would have probably started the same 11 again, even if there was only two days in between for the next one.

“Since there is only two days in between and we had to fight really hard and it's not the first game after being out for three or four weeks, it’s probably the 50th game in three months - I don't know how many.

“You take that into account but you take the quality from the team you face, you take the form of the players, how fit they are, which players fit best together.”

Arne Slot dismisses Liverpool ‘luck’ and points out key to lack of injuries

13:15 , Richard Jolly

Arne Slot has denied that Liverpool have been lucky with injuries this season as he said their excellent fitness record was the product of the fitness of their players and the excellence of their medical team.

Whereas title rivals Arsenal have been without key players for large swathes of the season, with Bukayo Saka and both strikers, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, out now and captain Martin Odegaard missing in the autumn, Slot’s squad have often had a relatively clean bill of health.

But the Dutchman brought performance coach Ruben Peeters with him from Feyenoord as part of his bid to prevent injuries and said Liverpool are using their expertise in their attempts to keep players available.

Arne Slot dismisses Liverpool ‘luck’ and points out key to lack of injuries

Arne Slot responds to Darwin Nunez performance against PSG

12:55 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool manager Arne Slot hailed an improved performance from Darwin Nunez as the Uruguayan bounced back from his recent poor form against Paris Saint-Germain.

Slot had been critical of Nunez in recent weeks, with the striker short of goals and struggling to show the sort of attitude that the Liverpool manager desires from his players. But the Dutchman was pleased to see his bench make an impact as he praised both Nunez and Harvey Elliott.

“A big moment for [Harvey Elliott],” Slot said. “He is in competition for players that I hardly take off. So, he has to do it with limited playing time but he just keeps on going," Slot said.

"But it wasn't only Harvey, it was also the one who assisted, Darwin, who came from a difficult two games but was absolutely there again tonight because from the moment he came in we were more of a threat than before.”

After Alisson’s Liverpool heroics, Virgil van Dijk pinpoints what was missing

12:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Virgil van Dijk has warned Liverpool's Champions League suffering is not yet over after coming through a gruelling examination against Paris St Germain in the Parc des Princes.

Having been totally dominated for 87 minutes substitute Harvey Elliott scored with his first touch - and his team's first shot on target - to snatch a barely-believable 1-0 victory in their Champions League last-16 first leg.

"I think you could see, it was not the usual game we like to play,” Van Dijk said. "We don't want to be playing this way because everyone who plays football wants to have the ball a lot and wants to be dominating opponents.

"But we played against a team with a lot of quality, world-class quality, and they made it very difficult for everyone in the world so far and they made it difficult for us but we found a way and we have to try to finish it off next week."

After Alisson’s heroics, Van Dijk pinpoints exactly what was missing

‘Best in the world’: All nine Alisson Becker saves ranked

12:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Well it’s been quite the week for Liverpool already.

Arne Slot said Alisson Becker proved he is “the best in the world”. Jamie Carragher called it “the best performance of his career”. Thierry Henry called him “magnificent”. Speaking to French publication Le Parisien, Brest manager Eric Roy likened him to Jesus (steady on, Eric). Alisson didn’t go that far but the Liverpool goalkeeper acknowledged that it was the “performance of my life”.

Liverpool pinched a remarkable 1-0 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night, and at the heart of the victory was an inspired Brazilian who wouldn’t be beaten. Alisson’s nine saves were the most by any Liverpool goalkeeper in a Champions League match since records began 22 years ago.

Here, we break down a goalkeeping masterclass and rank his work from ninth to best, from simple stops to spectacular saves:

Ranking every Alisson save in Liverpool goalkeeper’s masterclass at PSG

Predicted line-ups

12:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Nunez

Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Downes, Ugochukwu, Sulemana; Onuachu

What is the Southampton team news?

12:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Capped England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is back in contention after returning from injury while Jan Bednarek is also fit after missing the defeat at Chelsea. Lesley Ugochukwu may also return to the line-up after being ineligible against Chelsea.

What is the Liverpool team news?

12:01 , Jamie Braidwood

Cody Gakpo remains a doubt for Liverpool due to an ankle issue and will be assessed. While Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez remain out, Arne Slot may choose to rotate ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Good afternoon

12:00 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s one of those rare occasions in the Premier League where top meets bottom - and today’s clash between Liverpool and Southampton surely features one of the biggest gaps in the division’s history.

Liverpool are 13 points clear at the top, while Southampton are 13 points adrift of safety at the bottom. The Reds have 67 points and have lost just once all season, while Southampton have just 9 points and have won just twice all season.

We’ll have all the build-up and team news before kick-off at 3pm.