Suarez and Sterling Give Liverpool Egde Over Southampton

 0-3 

Southampton hosted a surging Liverpool side today for a Premier League showdown.  With the league's first and second leading scorers, Suarez and Sturridge respectively, Liverpool have been unstoppable since the new year.

Luis Suarez scored early in the match to put Liverpool in front.  Linking up with Daniel Sturridge, Suarez timed his run perfectly to stay on-sides when the ball was played to him.  With his first-touch Suarez whipped the shot towards goal to beat the keeper and take the lead (16').

After conceding the initial goal Southampton gained a foothold in the match and exposed Liverpool's defense as many other teams have done this season.  Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez only produced one shot on target between them, but nonetheless had defenders Agger and Skrtel scrambling to stop the their movements.

Southampton could not turn their possession into a goal though and after half-time Liverpool extended their lead.  Having been in the match for less than a minute, Raheem Sterling added another goal for the Reds.  Suarez made a good run into the box with the ball and slid a pass to Sterling making a trailing run into the box.  Sterling scored easily with a sweeping first-touch shot (58').

Liverpool's defense was shaky for a period, but stayed focused and in the end kept the clean-sheet.  A final goal for Liverpool came in stoppage-time when Suarez was tripped in the Southampton box by Jose Fonte.  A penalty was awarded to Liverpool and Gerrard finished from the spot to close out the match (90 +5').

With today's win Liverpool move up to second place in the Premier League table.  Arsenal lost to Stoke City, and Manchester City did not play.  Now Chelsea are the only club ahead of Liverpool in the table with ten matches left in the season.  Up next for Liverpool is a trip to Old Trafford for a test against a struggling United side.  Southampton also go on the road for their next match against Crystal Palace.