Southampton come from two down to shock Liverpool

Sadio Mane came off the bench to score twice as Southampton fought back from two goals down to stun Liverpool 3-2.

The Reds, who were skippered by Jon Flanagan after Jordan Henderson was dropped to the bench, were cruising in the first half after fine goals from Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

But the Saints were a different side after the break following the introduction of Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane. The latter had a penalty saved but made amends by scoring to put his side back in the game.

The hosts equalised seven minutes from time through a brilliant finish from Graziano Pelle before the Italian set up super sub Mane for the late winner.

It puts Ronald Koeman’s side three points clear of the League Cup runners-up as they climb to seventh place.

How did the Reds throw it away? In the first half Jurgen Klopp’s men were brilliant on the counter attack and were clinical in front of goal, but, after the German brought off Dejan Lovren for Martin Skrtel, that triggered a complete change in the dynamic. The Slovakian had a performance to forget while at the other end Sturridge and Coutinho were quiet and substitute Christian Benteke was guilty of poor finishing.

Sadio Mane (Southampton) – An amazing performance from the forward. He made up for missing a penalty with two well-taken goals and was too much for the visitors’ defence to handle.

Southampton: Forster 6, Clasie, 5 Fonte 5, Long 6, Davis 6, Tadic 4, Romeu 5, Martina 6, Van Dijk 7, Pelle 5, Bertrand 6. Subs: Mane 8, Wanyama 6, Ward-Prowse 5.

Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Flanagan 6, Lovren 6, Sakho 6, Clyne 5, Can 5, Allen 6, Lallana 5, Coutinho 7, Origi 5, Sturridge 7. Subs: Skrtel 5, Benteke 4.

8’ – SAINTS PENALTY APPEAL: Long races into the box, is through on goal and goes down in a tangle with Lovren. But the referee waves play on, the defender certainly put his arm on the former West Brom man.

17’ - GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Liverpool: Coutinho with a spectacular strike! The Brazilian curls in a low drive from around 30 yards after cutting inside.

22’ - GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Liverpool: The Reds counter and Origi unselfishly slides the ball to Sturridge who dummies and strokes the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.

33’ – DISALLOWED GOAL: Flanagan's cross is put behind by Martina for a corner. Coutinho's ball is partially cleared and is fired into the goal by Allen. But it has been ruled out for offside against Sakho.

49 – PENALTY SOUTHAMPTON: Skrtel is penalised for grabbing Pelle as he ran onto a through ball from Davis in the box.

50 - PENALTY MISS! Mane's low shot is well saved by Mignolet diving to his right.

64’ - GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Liverpool: Mane gets his goal! He fires a shot in across Mignolet from a tight angle after getting goal side of Sakho.

74’ – BENTEKE MISS! The striker is through on goal from Lallana's pass but the Belgian drags his shot wide of the post.

83’ - GOAL! Southampton 2-2 Liverpool: Stunning strike from Pelle from around 20 yards out, curling the ball beyond Mignolet into the corner.

86’ - GOAL! Southampton 3-2 Liverpool: Unbelievable! Mane fires the ball into the bottom corner to give the home side the lead.

Philippe Coutinho has scored nine goals this season.

No goalkeeper has saved more penalties in the last three Premier League seasons than Simon Mignolet who has kept out four spot-kicks.

Sadio Mane scored for the first time in 20 matches.

The Saints have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games at St Mary's.