LIVERPOOL GO TOP AS SALAH IS BACK ON SCORESHEET

The Reds cruise past Southampton to go back to the top of the Premier League and carry on their perfect start to the season...

Liverpool were heavy favourites coming into the game following their superb form at the start of the season and the dominance was evident early on.

There were a number of changes for Liverpool from their 3-2 win over PSG in midweek, with Joel Matip replacing Joe Gomez.

Xherdan Shaqiri came in for James Milner and Roberto Firmino was back in for Daniel Sturridge.

Shaqiri was very impressive in the first-half and his cross was diverted into his own net by Southampton's Wesley Hoedt.

Liverpool, not long after, extended their advantage - when Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross was headed in by the returning Matip and the hosts were in cruise control.

With the last kick until half-time, Mohamed Salah broke his goalscoring duck, when the Egyptian had the easy job of tapping in, following Shaqiri's free-kick that ricocheted off the crossbar.

The game was over by half-time and it was a case of 'damage limitation' for the Saints, who were being outclassed on Merseyside.

Shaqiri impressed the Anfield crowd in the opening half, so it came as a surprise when the Swiss international came off for James Milner at the break.

Virgil van Dijk was forced off with what looked like a rib injury early on in the second-half against his former club.

The Reds were essentially seeing the second-half out, without trying too hard with a hectic schedule on the horizon.

The game finished 3-0 and Liverpool leapfrogged Chelsea to the summit of the table, whilst Southampton move down to 14th.