Liverpool beats Southampton to take Premier League title race down to the wire

Takumi Minamino and Joel Matip scored for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League, keeping the team’s quadruple hopes alive and prompting coach Jurgen Klopp to describe his fringe players as “Ferraris in the garage”

Joel Matip's stooping header gave Liverpool a 2-1 win at Southampton on May 17 night to keep the Premier League title race alive until the final day of the season.

The result leaves Liverpool a point behind leaders Manchester City ahead of Sunday's final round of Premier League games when City are at home to Aston Villa and Liverpool host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

City have 90 points with Liverpool on 89, meaning that victory for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City against Villa, managed by former Reds captain Steven Gerrard, would secure their fourth Premier League title in five seasons.

Jurgen Klopp made nine changes to the team that beat Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final on Saturday with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah injured but several others rested.

Jurgen Klopp's choice was looking questionable when Southampton took a 13th-minute lead through a wonderful Nathan Redmond strike after the winger had cut in from the left flank.

Roberto Firmino, who led the line in the absence of Sadio Mane, had a header ruled out for offside as the visitors sought a quick way back into the Premier League game.

Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28, drew level in the 27th minute with Takumi Minamino, who spent a loan spell with Southampton last season, firing a fierce shot in at the near post.