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Jamie Carragher admits ‘surprise’ at Arne Slot decision against Southampton

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Liverpool secured a dramatic win against Southampton after a late 3-2 result on the English south coast.

Mohamed Salah scored two second-half goals to extend Liverpool’s winning run and to overturn a 2-1 scoreline into a huge victory for Arne Slot’s side, with the Anfield side going eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 LiverpoolLiverpool12 9 2 1 21 6 15 29
2 Man CityManchester City12 7 2 3 22 17 5 23
3 ChelseaChelsea12 6 4 2 23 14 9 22
4 ArsenalArsenal12 6 4 2 21 12 9 22

Although Jamie Carragher was critical of Ibrahima Konate’s performance, Liverpool will be pleased with their result against Southampton, with Manchester City at Anfield coming up next for the Merseyside giants.

Yet Carragher was left confused by one decision from Slot against Southampton.

FBL-ENG-PR-SOUTHAMPTON-LIVERPOOL
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Carragher questions why Darwin Nunez wasn’t brought off for Liverpool

Speaking on Sky Sports coverage of the game, the pundit shared his surprise at Cody Gakpo coming off first for Liverpool over Darwin Nunez, with the Uruguay international enduring a poor game against Southampton.

With Luis Diaz causing problems for the Saints the second he came on, the decision to bring on the Colombia international was the right one from Slot, with the former FC Porto man causing Southampton numerous problems down the left.

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez from his wife to net worth

But for Carragher, the decision to bring Gakpo off over Nunez was a surprising one, with the former Benfica striker doing little to cause Southampton any issues at the back, even with their disastrous defending.

Carragher said: “I’m surprised it’s Gakpo, would have been Nunez for me. He’s certainly been the most dangerous player, I can’t remember Nunez being involved in one thing in the game. Diaz has done so well as a striker when he’s played up there.”

Liverpool FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Slot made the right call bringing Gakpo off for Diaz

Although the decision to take Gakpo off over Nunez was a questionable one given how ineffective the 25-year-old attacker was for Liverpool, there’s no denying that Slot made the right call to bring on Diaz.

The Colombia international has been electric for Liverpool this season, with Slot getting the best out of Diaz after just three three months since taking over from Jurgen Klopp last summer.

And Diaz’s performance from the bench today against Southampton showed just how good the winger will has come this season, with the forward as important as ever for the Reds in the attacker.