SAINT NOBODY CAN Klopp: I’ve never seen such consistency... we were sensational
LIVERPOOL 4 SOUTHAMPTON 0
■■This win puts Liverpool 22 points clear of second-placed Manchester City, the biggest margin any leader has had at the end of a day in English top-flight history.
WHEN even Jurgen Klopp is lost for words, something special is afoot.
Yes, the Reds’ boss admitted even he was struggling for superlatives after a ruthless second-half Anfield super-show put paid to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s impertinent upstarts.
The Saints thrust their best foot forward yesterday and yet, like so many before them, returned home nursing a hammering.
This was a testament to a red machine that keeps churning out result after result. This was the Merseysiders’ 20th league victory at home on the spin.
The club has equalled Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten 42-game run over two seasons and their 22-point lead at the
The Reds have now won each of their last 20 league matches at Anfield; only once in English top-flight history has a team had a longer winning streak on top is the largest margin in Premier League history.
Asked how he felt after yet another triumph, he said: “I’ve never seen this consistency, I would ask the same questions as you are.
“But I can only say what I feel. I don’t feel stronger after each win.
“We have won – great – there’s a small celebration, then relief, then we settle and go again. I have no clue how I should feel. We have a week off and we go again.”
Statistics show the
Saints enjoyed more shots but paid for their lack of a cutting edge.
The game turned on a decision two minutes into the second half. Danny Ings moved between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho – the midfielder put out a leg and appeared to make contact. VAR decided not to overturn referee Kevin Friend’s decision and failed to award a penalty.
Seconds later, a turbo-charged run from Andy Robertson, a delightful backheel from the Scot and more intelligent play from Roberto Firmino allowed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to fire in a drive from the edge of the area that left Alex McCarthy flat-footed.
After that, yet more rapier-like thrusts ended with Jordan Henderson scoring on the hour, Mo Salah was sent clear following a two-pass move that spanned the length of the pitch to finish and the little Egyptian magician made the most of tiring legs to scramble a fourth.
It was hard on Southampton. But