Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp explains Southampton decision as Mohamed Salah misses out

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has explained why he made a number of changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Southampton when Mohamed Salah was left out

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Southampton vs Liverpool: Game in Pictures

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he made nine changes to his line-up against Southampton because he needed to field players who were ready for a “real fight”.

The Reds ensured the Premier League title race will go to the final day of the season by beating Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s. Goals from Takumi Minamino and Joel Matip helped Klopp’s side take three points after Nathan Redmond scored an early opener after an excellent solo run.

But Klopp’s starting XI looked justified as the Reds fought back into the game to keep them just a point behind leaders Manchester City ahead of the final game of the season. It comes as Mohamed Salah was spotted having lunch in Chesire after missing the trip to Southampton altogether.

Here are Mirror football latest Liverpool headlines.

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Talking points from Southampton

Liverpool came from behind to keep their faint quadruple hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday night.

Nathan Redmond’s good shot in the 13th minute came after receiving the ball from Nathan Tella and running nearly half the length of the pitch before cutting in from the left and rolling home from the edge of the area via a slight deflection from James Milner . Takumi Minamino equalized in the 27th minute by smashing Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy at his near post with a powerful, rising shot into the roof of the net.

Joel Matip clinched the winner in the second half when he held off Kyle Walker-Peters to send a header past McCarthy into the right corner in front of the madly traveling fans. It was a game packed with talking points, including Klopp’s big gamble and the return of Minamino’s Saints.

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Klopp wanted “real fight”

Jurgen Klopp packed his Liverpool starting XI with players ready to show “100 per cent desire”, who were “ready for a real fight”, he said.

The Reds manager made nine substitutions from the team that conceded 120 minutes of football plus penalties in Saturday’s FA Cup final win against Chelsea. And Klopp has now explained that decision as he left the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane completely out of the game.

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Missed salah

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah completely missed the Premir League clash with Southampton – with the Egyptian not even traveling to the south coast with the rest of the squad.

The Reds forward enjoyed lunch in Wilmslow before kick-off, having lunch at the Juniper Restaurant. Salah limped out of the FA Cup final against Chelsea with an injury but could return at the weekend if the Reds hope Manchester City slip and they can win the Premier League title.

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