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Liverpool returned to the top of the table on the back of routine 3-0 win over Southampton. Striking through an own goal and two set pieces, Jürgen Klopp’s men rarely left second gear on the day, preferring to simply and methodically wear the visitors down rather than overwhelm them with quality.
There was one cause for concern early in the second half when ex-Saint, Virgil Van Dijk went down with an apparent abdominal injury. The defender ultimately had to be substituted in the 54th minute for the rested Joe Gomez, with many fearing the worst for a player so central to the team’s defensive solidity since joining the club in January.
Thankfully, the manager was quick to allay supporters’ fears after the game, explaining that it was simply a holdover from the Champions league clash in midweek:
“He had a bruise on his ribs before the PSG game, today he got another hit there,” Klopp said in a post-match interview.
“It should not be too serious. He said he could not shout more—which is 60 percent less!
“He should be absolutely OK.”
There will be relief in Anfield with the second half of a difficult run of seven games still to come, including against the surging Chelsea, Napoli and defending league champions, Manchester City over the course of less than three weeks.
The Reds are next in action this upcoming Wednesday against Chelsea in the League Cup.