Uruguay international Darwin Nunez’s parting gift to Liverpool before his departure to the World Cup was two goals and a match-winning performance in the 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Manager Jurgen Klopp, watching on from the back of the first tier of the Main Stand due to his one-match touchline ban but in constant communication with coach Vitor Matos, would have enjoyed his different perspective as the forward made it seven goals in his last 10 appearances.
A fourth successive win in all competitions saw his side enter the mid-season break on an upward curve as they moved to within five points of fourth-placed Newcastle.
Roberto Firmino’s sixth-minute header gave them the ideal start and although Che Adams equalised as soon as Nunez made his mark then Nathan Jones’ first match in charge after replacing the sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl turned into an uphill struggle.
Five of Liverpool’s starting line-up are heading to Qatar next week and two others, Ibrahima Konate (knock) and Jordan Henderson (personal reasons), were absent but it was Nunez who took the opportunity to sharpen himself up for Uruguay’s challenge.
Both goals were instinctive and predatory; a first-time side-foot volley and sliding finish inside the six-yard area.
The 23-year-old has taken time to bed in to his new surroundings following his potential club-record transfer from Benfica but has noticeably gone up a gear in the last month.
It takes a certain kind of player to be able to overshadow Mohamed Salah, who had 10 in 10 before this game, but Nunez has all the attributes, albeit it different from the Egyptian, to ensure it is no longer a one-man show.
He has also extinguished all the questions about allowing Sadio Mane to depart to Bayern Munich, with his best recent performances coming in the left-sided role – again played in a completely different way to the Senegal international.
That he was helped by some rather naïve Southampton defending would not give full credit to his performance, which was direct, aggressive and clinical.
Visiting boss Jones opted for a 4-4-2 formation for his Premier League debut but his side were far too open and they were frequently carved apart.
Even Southampton’s first goal at Anfield since 2015 – after Adams took advantage of Virgil van Dijk switching off to head home a ninth-minute equaliser from James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick – could not paper over the cracks.
Liverpool had taken the lead three minutes earlier when, after one-time…
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