A second-half blitz from Southampton saw them complete a remarkable comeback to beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday.
The Saints conceded twice in the first half before scoring three times in 20 minutes to exact revenge for their 6-1 humiliation at the hands of the Reds in the Capital One Cup earlier in the season.
Philippe Coutinho struck first with a fine run and sublime effort from distance on 17 minutes before Daniel Sturridge added a second five minutes later with a composed finish after receiving a pass from Divock Origi.
Sadio Mane was subbed on at half-time and almost had an immediate impact only to see his 49th-minute penalty saved by Simon Mignolet but the Saints winger proved to be the saviour for his side.
Mane pulled one goal back on 64 minutes when firing home with his left foot from an angle before Graziano Pelle tied it up in the 83rd minute with a delightful strike from outside the area.
Ronald Koeman's Southampton hit the front less than three minutes later when Pelle played in Mane, who again finished on his left foot, and sent the south coast club up to seventh on the table.
The loss for the Reds, their first in five outings, has Jurgen Klopp's outfit sitting ninth and now seven points away from the top four.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Southampton: 3 (Sadio Mane 64'/86', Graziano Pelle 83')
Liverpool: 2 (Philippe Coutinho 17', Daniel Sturridge 22')
St Mary's Stadium, Southampton - 31,596
TALKING POINTS
- Is this the type of win that will see Southampton power into a Champions League spot? Or will a Europa League finish be enough?
- Did Liverpool's Europa League duties contribute to this downfall? Can Klopp pick them up ahead of their next continental fixture which takes place against his former club Borussia Dortmund on April 7?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Southampton travel to league leasers Leicester on April 2 on the same day as Liverpool welcome second-placed Tottenham.
TWITTER INSIGHT
What a win! Great Staff! pic.twitter.com/WuGRRIVEHU
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) March 20, 2016
Today's win was massive #wemarchonpic.twitter.com/6fOKsKZVcM
— Cuco Martina (@CucoMartina) March 20, 2016
What a win! Massive three points for us. Great atmosphere at St Mary's this afternoon. #WeMarchOnpic.twitter.com/aDjrLT7W0F
— Steven Davis (@StevenDavis8) March 20, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Southampton's Koeman on his side's hopes for the rest of the season:
"It is difficult to finish better than last year. We got six points Stoke and Liverpool which makes it possible. That's good because that means you are fighting for something until the end of the season."
Liverpoolboss Klopp on the defeat:
"In the second half Southampton deserved it. We could have done better but that's how it is in football.
"It was clear when they scored their first goal that something big would happen in this game."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
9 - Philippe Coutinho has scored more goals in all competitions for Liverpool in 2015/16 than in any other previous campaign (9). Samba.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
4 - Daniel Sturridge has scored four goals in his last three starts against Southampton in all competitions. Update.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
6 - Adam Lallana has been directly involved in six goals in his last six Premier League apps (three goals, three assists). Resurgence.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
0 – Southampton failed to muster a single shot on target in the first half against Liverpool. Gegenpressed.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
3 – Simon Mignolet has saved three of the last five penalties he has faced in the PL for @LFC after saving one of the previous five. Wall.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
2 - Graziano Pelle has scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since September 2014. Rarity.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
1 - Liverpool lost a game in which they were leading by 2+ goals at half time for the first time in PL history (W112 D3). Shellshocked.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 20, 2016
