Liverpool eased into third place with a 2-0 win against Southampton.

First-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah gave Jurgen Klopp’s side a boosting victory ahead of a midweek Champions League trip to Porto.

Just two points now separate the Reds from second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League table on the back of the game at St Mary’s.

Here were the key talking points from the South Coast:

Lady Luck is back on Reds’ side

 

What a difference a week makes.

Misfortune in their own penalty area told the story of Liverpool’s draw with Tottenham last Sunday but things evened themselves out at St Mary’s.

Wesley Hoedt gifted the visitors an opener as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s clearance ran straight though him for Mohamed Salah to tee up Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian made no mistake from 15 yards out for a goal which ultimately allowed Liverpool to gain control of the game from the opening stages.

It was a stark contrast to the acrimonious circumstances in which Spurs took a point away from Anfield during stoppage time, just seven days ago.

Mane needs to step up again

 

On another day, Sadio Mane could have scored a hat-trick in his latest return to St Mary’s and put the game beyond his former club Southampton.

But the Senegalese forward is now a player that is increasingly bereft of confidence after failing to hit the target for a fourth successive league game.

Two goals in his previous 13 games does not bode well with the Champions League’s return threatening to add to Liverpool’s already congested fixture list.

With that in mind, they will need Mane to rediscover his Midas touch again soon to take some of the burden off Salah and Firmino in the front line.

Marksmen are in a different league

 

Between them, Salah and Firmino have scored 34 league goals this season.

That is already more than 11 other teams, including a certain local rival.

However it is not just their goals that are impressive but also their work rate and link-up play, exemplified by the Reds second goal of the afternoon.

Salah played a quick one-two with his strike partner, whose back-heel flick assist magnificently allowed the Egyptian to slot home from close range.

Their obliging hosts granted the pair complete freedom to roam in the second half but it cannot be overstated how important this partnership has become.

Van Dijk enjoys easy Saints return

 

Virgil van Dijk had been warned about a difficult first return to Southampton.

A hostile reception from the home fans was probably the most discomfort that Liverpool’s new record signing encountered all afternoon at St Mary’s.

Guido Carillo posed little threat to both Van Dijk and defensive partner Joel Matip in a rather isolated and ineffective target man role for the hosts.

Although neither player alone is the solution to Liverpool’s back line issues, together they certainly appear capable of providing a few answers to it.

Aside from marshalling a beleaguered Southampton forward line with minimum, they also found time to stretch their legs going forward to try and create something.

If they can stay fit and in-form for the rest of the season, a run at the latter stages of the Champions League and a top-four finish should be more than attainable.