Alberto Moreno's Half-Time Introduction Key to Liverpool Victory at Southampton

In a weekend of crucial results for Liverpool's aim of a top-four finish, their 2-0 defeat of Southampton moved Brendan Rodgers' side to within a point of their opponents and rivals for a coveted Champions League position.

With Arsenal the only other side fighting for a top-four spot to have won, the table is beginning to look a lot nicer for the Merseysiders, who are now just two points behind fourth-place Manchester United. Alas, an inferior goal difference makes that more like three points.

From where Liverpool where just two months ago, the Southampton victory could prove a watershed moment for Rodgers' side.

A 2-0 away win is always seen as being a professional result, and Liverpool achieved that despite being under pressure from the Saints for large parts of the game. Winning when not at your best, and without several key players, is indicative of a side in a winning habit.

Momentum has truly shifted in recent weeks, and the fact that a fifth consecutive away clean sheet was achieved for the first time since the '80s—with a back five of the much-maligned Dejan Lovren, the previously erratic Martin Skrtel, the more comfortable midfield player Emre Can and a 19-year-old who was loaned to Derby County as a wide-forward—is quite remarkable.

"

Alberto Moreno is quickly becoming a very important player. Adds so much balance, and is very solid in both directions.

— Colin Spreag (@ColinSpreag) February 22, 2015"

Liverpool were without their club captain, Steven Gerrard, and the duo who had been key in their recent revival—Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho.

Much praise must go to the coaching that has been done by Rodgers and his staff in preparing the side, and also to the manager for his in-game changes, which have increasingly become pivotal for his side's positive results of late.

The introduction of Mario Balotelli in the three preceding fixtures had produced two game-winning goals and a game-changing switch in system against Crystal Palace.

It was the half-time introduction of Alberto Moreno for Lazar Markovic on the left side of midfield/defence that proved key in the victory at St. Mary's Stadium.

Moreno Introduction

Thierry Henry called the decision of Rodgers' to replace Markovic with Moreno at half-time as "really clever" in his post-match analysis on Sky Sports. "He [Moreno] can defend a bit better [than Markovic]," added Henry.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher analysed how Liverpool effectively switched from a back three to a back five, with Jordon Ibe also sitting deeper on the right hand side in the second-half, which nullified the threat that Southampton had posed in wide areas in the early exchanges.

Clyne

Jon Super/Associated Press

Nathaniel Clyne was clearly a player Rodgers knew posed a threat; he scored in the corresponding fixture at Anfield on the opening day of the season, enjoying a good performance up against Liverpool's then-new-look defence.

With Sakho sidelined through a hip injury, Rodgers therefore opted to switch Emre Can across to the left of the back three, perhaps realising that incoming Dejan Lovren is not as dynamic and struggles when dragged into wide areas.

Playing Can on the left provided the Liverpool team with someone who is more comfortable when moved out wide, while playing Lazar Markovic ahead of Moreno was perhaps an attempt by Rodgers to pin back the Southampton danger man.

It didn't quite work, though, for Markovic in the first 45, attempting three take-ons but successful with just one (per Squawka). Instead it was Clyne who pushed Markovic back and exploited the new-look Liverpool left-hand side.

The introduction of Moreno at half-time nullified the threat of Clyne, with the Spaniard playing much closer to Can and blocking the space out wide. His naturally more defensive game was key in Liverpool's defensive rearguard.

As shown in the comparison below, from Statszone, Clyne's first-half and second-half output were markedly different:

StatsZone

While helping solidify at the back, Moreno contributed going the other way, too, none more so than his contribution in the second goal for the Reds.

Moreno

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The 22-year-old started life at Anfield in an up-and-down fashion; a mistake on his debut at Manchester City was followed up by a stunning goal at Tottenham Hotspur the same week. Since then, he's found himself in and out of the side, mostly in of late.

Perhaps nothing shows how Liverpool have turned the corner more than looking back at the side which Rodgers picked for the must-win Champions League game against FC Basel in December. A game that the manager bizarrely opted for Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique as his full-backs, among myriad awful decisions he made that game.

Ten starts in a row for Moreno prior to Sunday allowed him the time to settle on the left side, and with slightly less defensive responsibility playing in the more advanced role than as a regular full-back has seen him grow in confidence.

Moreno's performances over these recent weeks have been nothing spectacular, but they have been consistent. With Rodgers often opting for Markovic or Ibe on the right side, Moreno has given width and balance down the left.

The Spaniard deserves the praise he is receiving for his second-half showing at Southampton and in the bigger picture for how he has kept his head down, worked hard and come out of a tricky patch in late autumn.

* Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.