On Saturday, in the Premier League, Liverpool triumphed 3-1 over bottom - placed Southampton. In the second half, Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah scored within three minutes. This gave the Premier League leaders a provisional 16 - point buffer at the top of the table.

Arne Slot's Liverpool side have amassed 70 points after 29 matches. Meanwhile, second - placed Arsenal have 54 points but have two games in hand. The Gunners are set to play away at Manchester United on Sunday. Struggling Southampton are in 20th place with nine points, 13 points adrift of the safety zone.

Will Smallbone stunned the crowd at the sun - drenched Anfield by scoring for the visitors in first - half injury time. A miscommunication between Reds' goalkeeper Alisson and centre - back Virgil van Dijk allowed the ball to fall invitingly to Smallbone, who slotted it home from an angle.

Television cameras captured Arne Slot, who was serving the second game of a two - game suspension, sitting in the stands with his head in his hands in frustration.

"It was a bit of frustration," Salah said. "We were sloppy and slow in the first half. I don't think we played good today. If you want to win the Champions League or Premier League you have to win these games like that."

However, it was short - lived. After the break, the league leaders took complete control of the game. In the 51st minute, Luis Díaz dribbled past two Southampton defenders and then set up Nunez, who slotted the ball home from close range to level the score.

Nunez's goal brought an end to his goal drought that had lasted for 10 games, causing the fans to chant his name.

Three minutes later, he earned a penalty when Smallbone caught him on the back of the ankle in the box. Salah then unleashed a powerful shot from the penalty spot, which sailed past Aaron Ramsdale and into the inside side netting for his first of two penalties.

Liverpool's talisman completed his double with a second penalty in the 87th minute following a handball by Yukinari Sugawara.

Salah extended his league scoring lead to a remarkable 27 goals for the season, and 32 in all competitions."And now you're going to believe us, we're going to win the league," sang the Anfield faithful after the goal.

This afternoon's match marked Liverpool's solitary Premier League fixture in March. The month is packed with a hectic schedule, involving participation in the Champions League round of 16, the League Cup final, the FA Cup quarter - finals, as well as the international break.