Liverpool FC 2-0 Southampton: Sadio Mane and Thiago boost Premier League champions’ top four hopes

Goals from Thiago and Mane earned Liverpool a key win

(Getty Images)

Liverpool boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification with a 2-0 victory over Southampton at Anfield on Saturday night.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring on Merseyside with a close-range header 31 minutes into the contest, and Liverpool had Alisson Becker to thank for keeping the Saints at bay before Thiago Alcantara’s classy finish in the 90th minute settled the contest.

The result may only push Liverpool up from seventh to sixth position in the table for now, but the champions are now just five points off fourth-placed Leicester City with a game in hand.

In a further boost for Liverpool, the Foxes face a daunting run-in against Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham, as well as next week’s FA Cup Final against Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s remaining fixtures see them face Man United, West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace - and a good result at Old Trafford next Thursay would leave Klopp’s side as arguable favourites for a top-four finish.

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