Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with two goals as the leaders defeated Southampton 3-2 on Sunday.

Liverpool had squandered the lead given to them by Dominik Szoboszlai’s second goal this season as Adam Armstrong levelled before the break at St Mary’s.

Mateus Fernandes put bottom-of-the-table Southampton ahead after the interval before Salah sparred Liverpool’s blushes.

Salah coolly netted the equaliser and then held his nerve to stroke home the late penalty that gave him 12 goals in all competitions this season and six in his last five league appearances.

Thanks to Salah’s late heroics, Liverpool have left second-placed Manchester City trailing in their wake after the champions’ dismal 4-0 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday.

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made a remarkable start to his time in charge of the Reds, winning 16 of his first 18 games in all competitions.

The former Feyenoord manager’s deft touch has established Liverpool as favourites for a first Premier League title since 2020 in his maiden season at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool were below their best against Southampton but the gritty victory was the ideal start to a pivotal period.

The Reds host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, before Manchester City head to Anfield next weekend.

Liverpool have won 10 of their first 12 league matches, with only two previous teams in the competition’s history failing to lift the title after reaching that mark.

The Star