Player Ratings: Liverpool duo impress as Klopp’s men beat Southampton to take title race to final day

Kostas Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott were Liverpool’s best players as they beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s to keep their slim title hopes alive.

Southampton took the lead 13 minutes into the match. Lyanco won the ball from Diogo Jota, although he was lucky not to see a foul given to Liverpool. The centre-back drove forwards before giving it to Nathan Tella. He sent Nathan Redmond off down the left flank and the winger cut inside past Joe Gomez before sending a right-footed strike into the far corner, with the help of a James Milner deflection.

Liverpool got level in the 27th minute as Takumi Minamino scored against his former loan club. Gomez found Jota with a cross from the right, and the forward controlled well before playing into Minamino’s path. The Japan international took a couple of positive touches and fired into the top corner.

Klopp’s men went in front thanks to a fortuitous goal in the 67th minute. Tsimikas whipped a corner in and Mohamed Elyounoussi flicked it into a dangerous area, rather than attempting to clear properly. Joel Matip put his head forward and saw the ball loop into the top corner, beating Alex McCarthy.

Liverpool survived late pressure from Southampton to pick up three points on the south coast. They are still in the mix for the title, although they will have to rely on Manchester City dropping points to Aston Villa.

No Liverpool players absolutely shone, but Tsimikas and Elliott did well on the night.

Alex McCarthy: Got down smartly to push a Milner shot wide after an ambitious effort from the veteran midfielder. Couldn’t do much about Minamino’s goal as the forward smashed straight into the top corner. Beaten again by Matip later on as the defender’s header somehow managed to loop into the