A superb second-minute lob by Danny Ings gave Southampton a surprise 1-0 home win over Premier League leaders Liverpool, with the Reds' attack looking rudderless as they were held scoreless for the second game in a row.
With the injury-hit champions fielding a makeshift center-back pairing of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, striker Ings, who joined Southampton on loan from Liverpool in 2018 before making the transfer permanent a year later,was able to exploit some confusion at a set piece to secure the win.
The victory lifted Southampton to sixth in the table on 29 points, behind Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City on goal difference. Liverpool stay top on 33 points ahead of Manchester United, who have a game in hand, on goal difference.
As Henderson called his players to shore up the middle, James Ward-Prowse floated a free kick down the left that Trent Alexander-Arnold failed to deal with, and Ings pounced to send a deft left-footed lob over Alisson into the net.
Southampton wasted NO time!
This Danny Ings goal in the 2nd minute has them up 1-0 on Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/cifMqtSmmf— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 4, 2021
Liverpool did not manage a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, with their best chance headed just over the bar by Mohamed Salah during the first-half stoppage time.
They dominated the second half, but once again a concerted effort by the massed ranks of Southampton's defense kept them out, and coach Ralph Hasenhuettl fell to his knees at the final whistle as his players celebrated.
Ralph Hasenhüttl is in tears after beating Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/qhFRyTa0ka
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 4, 2021
"He (Hasenhuettl) is very passionate and he brings that passion into the game, and it's great for us to see that," goalscorer Ings told Sky Sports.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, whose side were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United in their last outing, was disappointed with the display.
"They (Southampton) put a lot of work in. Our decision-making was just not good, that is how it is when you don't have momentum. We should have had much more chances," he said.
