Liverpool gained momentum in the Premier League title race on Sunday after getting past a stubborn Southampton in a 3-2 victory at St Mary’s Stadium to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points after Manchester City’s shock 4-0 loss Tottenham at Etihad Stadium.

Arne Slot’s side faces the title holders Manchester City next weekend, making this weekend’s results an interesting twist to the Premier League campaign. It all started on Saturday when Ange Postecoglu’s men ran riot at Etihad on Saturday with a 4-0 win.

The result is Manchester City’s fourth consecutive loss in a row in the league, which was facilitated by a James Madison brace, while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson were on target later in the game. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted it was the worst period in his reign in charge of the club, although he anticipated a drop in form and quality at one point during his stay at the club.

“In eight years, we never lived this. I knew sooner or later we would drop. I never expected to lose three Premier League games in a row, but we have been incredibly consistent again and again. Now, we cannot deny the reality that sometimes happens in football, and life is here.”

The outcome was a chance for Liverpool to stretch the gap to eight points, and they almost didn’t take it. Dominik Szoboszlai put the Reds ahead on the half-hour mark, but Adam Armstrong’s rebound from a contentious penalty before halftime put both teams level.

Mateus Fernandes’ strike eleven minutes after the break set the Saints on a possible win, but Mohammed Salah scored a late brace to win for Arne Slot’s men and put them in good momentum ahead of the visit of European Champions Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.