Liverpool’s disappointing season culminates with a thrilling 4-4 draw against bottom-placed Southampton. The match showcased the Reds’ persistent issues throughout the campaign. Their remarkable attacking prowess, combined with a fragile defence, resulted in a staggering 47 goals conceded.
Last season, Liverpool was in contention for a quadruple. They won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. However, they narrowly finished one point behind Manchester City in the league and lost the Champions League final. This season presented a stark contrast. The Reds finished fifth in the league. They failed to secure a Champions League spot for the first time since 2017.
The game began with an early goal by Diogo Jota. He capitalized on a glaring mistake by Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, providing Liverpool with an open goal opportunity. While anyone could have scored, it was Jota, once again proving his ability to be at the right place at the right time, who seized the chance. Shortly after, Roberto Firmino doubled the lead, marking his final game for Liverpool with a goal.
Thrilling comeback and defensive challenges
Southampton, however, mounted a comeback, with James Ward-Prowse pulling a goal back, and Kamaldeen Sulemana netting his first goal for the club to level the scoreline. The Saints then took the lead in the second half as Adam Armstrong made it 4-2 just after the hour mark.
Liverpool swiftly responded as Cody Gakpo finished off a brilliant team play with a simple tap-in. Jota, showcasing his predatory instincts once again, swiftly secured his brace, levelling the scoreline not more than a minute later.
With the game perfectly poised at 4-4 it was anyone’s game to take. The final 15 minutes of the game ended in a frenzy. Mohamed Salah came close to securing a winner, hitting the post with a lobbed effort. However, neither team managed to find the decisive goal, resulting in a highly entertaining draw.
Liverpool’s disappointing season came to an end with a reminder of their attacking brilliance and defensive vulnerabilities. As they reflect on their fifth-place finish and absence from the Champions League, the Reds will undoubtedly seek improvements to regain their former glory in the upcoming campaign.