Liverpool's Heavy Week Faces Two Big Teams, Don't Worry, There's A Salah

Mohamed Salah will be the difference in every Liverpool match, including the next two tough matches (Instagram/@liverpoolfc).

JAKARTA - Liverpool have just won the match week 12 of the 2024/2025 Premier League against Southampton on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

The Reds almost lost if Mohamed Salah didn't score a brace that brought a 3-2 victory.

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, praised his team for rising in the second half when the Premier League leaders were in danger of losing to the bottom team.

Liverpool actually took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai in the 30th minute. However, surprisingly the hosts won 2-1 at the start of the second half.

Salah then scored two goals which gave Liverpool an eight-point lead to Manchester City who was in second place.

"In the second half I saw the intensity I was looking for in the first half. Southampton really made it difficult for a lot of teams, including top clubs."

"They made it difficult for us even though we dominated the game completely. There was not enough urgency to enter the penalty box (in the first half)."

"We only controlled the ball instead of attacking the penalty box. Even though we were left behind in the second half, we showed more urgency and intensity."

"It resulted in a lot of chances and finally two goals. It was difficult to create chances against the low block 4-5-1."

"However, we know Southampton wants to play from behind so you have to be really aggressive. Otherwise, they have very good game plans," Slot told Sky Sports.

Salah's two goals scored 10 league goals this season, with two goals behind Erling Haaland's top scorer. The Egyptian has scored six goals in his latest five league games.

Salah's first goal surprised Southampton when he had only one touch outside the penalty box to let the ball roll past the forward goalkeeper.

Salah memastikan kemenangan Liverpool setelah eksekusi penalinya sukses saat laga tersisa tujuh menit waktu normal.

Seeing the picture in the match against Southampton, of course, Arne Slot was worried. The reason is, this week they are having a tough busy schedule.

In the middle of this week or Thursday, November 28, 2024, early morning WIB, the Reds will host La Liga giants, Real Madrid, at Anfield.

Three days later, it's the turn of his closest competitor in the Premier League this season, Manchester City, who will come to visit.

Liverpool need to win the two tough parties in order to maintain their top position in the Premier League and Champions League.

"They are two teams that have dominated football over the past few years."

"So, it's two big games and that's why we need to win against Southampton. That's what makes me happy," said Slot.

Despite being worried, Slot emphasized that as long as there was Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's match always had a happy ending.

The 32-year-old forward could turn concerns into joy. For example in the match against Southampton when he became a differentiator.

"If you want to win, you need to score. We knew Mo could score. For me, Mo's first goal was the most important because we scored goals from nowhere."

"After that, we just have to wait to score again," said Slot.

Arne Slot has now won 10 of his 12 Premier League games while playing Liverpool in his debut season.

He has only entered his toughest week so far when he hosted Real Madrid in the Champions League followed by Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are still at the top of the Premier League standings this season with a collection of 31 points from 12 matches.

Shifting to the Champions League, the Reds are indeed displaced to third after being overtaken by Inter Milan and Barcelona who have played the fifth matchday.

Liverpool have a chance to return to the top of the Champions League standings if they can beat Real Madrid. Currently, they have packed 12 points from four matches, aka perfect.