Nunez Brace Handed Jones With First Defeat

Uruguayan forward, Darwin Nunez, send Liverpool up the table to challenge for the top-four finish.

The Reds finished the pre-Qatar round with a victory at Anfield while Southampton’s Nathan Jones era came to an end with his first defeat.

Before the Saints’ unmarked Che Adams equalised for the Reds, Roberto Firmino put the disappointment of not making the Brazil team for Qatar behind him by scoring the opening goal for the Reds.

However, the former Benfica forward who made a switch to the Merseyside club scored twice in the game’s first half to give Liverpool the lead.

Nunez made it 2-1 when he prodded past Gavin Bazunu from close range before tapping in the third goal following Andy Robertson’s pass.

Nunez is one of seven Reds players now headed to the World Cup.

Without the 20-year-old Bazunu’s two superb saves, both of which came from close range and denied Mohamed Salah and Firmino, Liverpool would have won by a larger margin.

After the break, Reds goalkeeper Alisson also made a few strong stops, including one to save Adams’ header in the 77th minute.

After moving up to the sixth spot in the league rankings, Jurgen Klopp can now enjoy his break knowing that his squad will return to competing for the top four.