Liverpool end season with eight-goal game

Jurgen Klopp and his team ended the 2022-2023 Premier League season with a 4-4 draw at Southampton.

With no goals left in the final round, Southampton and Liverpool put on a show for the fans. The relegated team had 14 shots, while the fifth-placed team had 16.

Liverpool started better. The former champions quickly took the initiative and controlled the ball. In the 10th minute, Southampton's defense collapsed under the pressure of the visitors. Romeo Lavia made a bad pass in the penalty area, accidentally allowing Diogo Jota to shoot into an empty net to open the scoring for Liverpool.

Jota (center) celebrates scoring in the Southampton 4-4 Liverpool match on the evening of May 28. Photo: AP

After conceding the first goal, Southampton's defense continued to lose focus. They paid the price again in the 14th minute. Roberto Firmino dribbled comfortably past three defenders, then shot past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Leading 2-0 easily, it was Liverpool's turn to play complacently. The away team's defense repeatedly failed to keep up with the opposing striker. In particular, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold became the weakest link. In the 19th minute, taking advantage of Alexander-Arnold's moment of carelessness, James Ward-Prowse scored a low shot to shorten the score to 1-2.

Liverpool's central defenders also lacked concentration. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez did not coordinate well, especially in the offside trap. In the 28th minute, Theo Walcott passed the ball to Sulemana, who pressed Matip, then shot past goalkeeper Kelleher.

Southampton's two quick equalizers left Liverpool in a real quandary. The former champions' attacks were less effective from the end of the first half. Alexander-Arnold and his teammates mainly shot from long range or crossed the ball without any ideas. Meanwhile, Southampton continued to threaten the visitors' goal with counter-attacks.

In the 47th minute, the home team once again caused a surprise. After dribbling through the middle, Sulemana curled the ball with his right foot to increase the score to 3-2. Kelleher could only watch the ball.

Sulemana somersaulted to celebrate scoring against Liverpool on the evening of May 28. Photo: AP

Not stopping at a one-goal gap, Southampton continued to race against Liverpool's slow defense. In the 64th minute, Adam Armstrong dribbled the ball into the left edge of the penalty area, then shot low to raise the score to 4-2.

Liverpool conceded four goals in a game for the first time since the 4-1 defeat to Man City on April 1. It was only then that the former champions really woke up. Having found their groove, they showed the same ability to score goals as they did in the early stages of the match.

In the 72nd minute, Alexander-Arnold made amends with a low cross for Cody Gakpo to tap in, reducing the score to 3-4. And a minute later, from Mohamed Salah's assist, Jota shot into the top corner to tie the score at 4-4.

Liverpool finished the season with 67 points from 38 games. They were four points behind fourth-placed Newcastle. Liverpool will join sixth-placed Brighton in the Europa League next season. With 75 goals, Liverpool are the third-highest scorers in the 2022-23 Premier League. They are only behind Man City with 94 and Arsenal with 88.

Meanwhile, Southampton are bottom of the table with 25 points. Coach Ruben Selles' team will be relegated to the First Division next season along with Leicester City and Leeds United. The last time Southampton played in the First Division was in the 2011-2012 season, when James Ward-Prowse was just 17 years old.

Thanh Quy

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