Southampton vs. Liverpool: What We Learned from Reds' Victory at St. Mary's

Liverpool made a huge statement in the race for Champions League qualification by beating Southampton 2-0 in the howling wind and rain of St. Mary’s on Sunday, thanks to Philippe Coutinho’s opening stunner. The Premier League table is far from decided, but the Reds are building the necessary momentum to secure another season in Europe’s top club competition.

“For us this was a big step,” said Brendan Rodgers after the match, via the Guardian. “To go three points behind Arsenal, considering the start we had…that shows the consistency we have found.”

Coutinho’s third-minute rocket from well outside the box was the only thing separating the two teams until Raheem Sterling added the Reds’ second in the 73rd minute. Despite the opening blow, Southampton remained a serious threat for much of the highly entertaining contest, registering 13 shots to Liverpool’s six.

However, Coutinho’s early goal opened up the game and afforded the Reds a little peace of mind that went a long way in the hostile St. Mary’s atmosphere (especially for former Saints Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren). With the likes of Sterling, Jordan Ibe and 62nd-minute sub Daniel Sturridge up top, few would have bet against the Reds in the attacking soccer that characterized much of the match.

Liverpool’s ability to score two against the league’s stingiest defense—Saints have only allowed 19 goals all season—and concede none at the home ground of one of their main competitors for a UCL spot suggests the Reds have a renewed confidence at both ends of the pitch that will surely give them an edge going forward.

On the other hand, Saints manager Ronald Koeman would argue luck played a part in Liverpool’s positive result, citing two potential penalties for his side that were waved off.

“Maybe [Filip] Djuricic, in that first moment, fell down a bit too easily in the box,” said Koeman, via the Guardian. “The second, there’s no question. I don’t understand the referee [Kevin Friend]. But OK, human people can do mistakes.”

The controversy didn’t end there, however. After the match, ESPN analyst John Brewin ominously stated, “We need to talk about Kevin Friend,” before arguing the referee’s performance was below acceptable standards:

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It is not just Chelsea that are suffering the sharp end of bad refereeing decisions. Premier League officiating is going through something of a crisis. Referees are not fully to blame since players and managers make their job almost impossible, but performances like that of Friend are becoming all too commonplace.

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Twitter was no friend to Friend, either:

Though poor decisions from the official contributing to a home defeat to a direct competitor may seem like a devastating blow for Southampton, all is not lost. Unlike Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, the league is Saints’ only concern for the remainder of the season.

Tough challenges at Chelsea, Everton, Stoke City and Manchester City remain (as well as a home match against Spurs), but Saints will be able to marshal their efforts wholeheartedly for a top-four finish without having to worry about squad rotation on multiple competitive fronts.

Both Southampton and Liverpool have reason to believe. Saints will look favorably on their schedule, while the Reds will find confidence in being the only undefeated Premier League side of 2015.

Their trip to the hostile atmosphere of Besiktas on Thursday, followed by a home match against Manchester City, will certainly test the limits of Liverpool’s mettle.

Even though they will be at Anfield, the Reds will have less time to regroup from European competition than the Sky Blues (City host Barcelona Tuesday). That hangover could easily force a Liverpool stumble on Sunday—especially since City’s title hopes have been galvanized by Chelsea’s slip against Burnley, the return of Yaya Toure and the addition of Wilfried Bony.

Liverpool will have stern tests against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the coming months, but look for them to sneak into the fourth spot behind Chelsea, City and Arsenal, come May 24.

Southampton, meanwhile, will look to bounce back immediately with an away win at West Bromwich Albion, who currently sit 14th in the table. Saints will have an easy home stretch against Sunderland, Leicester City and Aston Villa, but they will end their season at the Etihad in what will almost certainly be a loss.