Southampton 2-3 Liverpool: Daily Echo Saints player ratings

The St Mary's side led the league leaders in the second half after the Portuguese's strike but slipped to a 3-2 defeat. Here are our full ratings...

Tyler Dibling was the star of the show against Liverpool (Image: Stuart Martin)

Starters

Alex McCarthy - 4.

Made eight saves and some of them were really decent stops but will be judged on two costly errors. The first was rolling to Fernandes unnecessarily under pressure and the second was simply puzzling positioning to allow Mohamed Salah an open goal.

Kyle Walker-Peters - 6.

Started on the right and moved to the left during the match. Didn't get close to Salah for either of the second-half goals but probably wasn't the favourite to either. Let him get onto a third which he hit the post with late on. Steady but unremarkable performance from him.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 6.

Looked the calmest of the Saints defenders but may have been guilty of encouraging McCarthy to roll out for the first Liverpool goal - watch it back for yourself and judge. Made several important blocks and was a vocal leader in Jan Bednarek's absence. 

Flynn Downes - 5.

Tasked with playing centre-back and had plenty of positive moments. However, cleared it straight to the Reds for their first goal when it should have gone out of play. Then stood half a yard deeper than the rest of the line when Salah scored the second.

Jack Stephens - 5.

Did not look as comfortable in possession as he had done in previous games but managed to avoid any glaring and costly errors. Got into a bit with Darwin Nunez and was booked late on for an unnecessary foul on Salah. Not much to shout about.

Ryan Fraser - 5.

Tasked with playing wing-back against Salah so not an easy job from the start. Worked hard and did his duties but was not very tidy in possession. His 77 per cent pass success rate was the lowest of all defensive players. A few simple passes short but involved in Fernandes goal.

Adam Lallana - 6.

Involved in some of the early moments playing out the back excellently. Classy as usual but guilty of stitching Stephens up at one point with a short pass and was booked for a bad foul on Ryan Gravenberch. Disappointing to lose him to injury after 37 minutes, will be missed.

Mateus Fernandes - 8.

Drilled finish for his first in the Premier League and well deserved after his contributions since signing for the club. A clever ball through to Armstrong for what should have been a penalty minutes after. Involved in more duels than any other player.

Tyler Dibling - 8.

Brilliant performance. Won the penalty to pull Saints level with a dangerous run at Andy Robertson. From that point on, he was constantly looking to beat his man and get the crowd off their seats, His pass across to Armstrong for the Fernandes goal was even better. 

Adam Armstrong - 7.

Seven rating is based purely on output alone. Scored the equaliser and set up Fernandes but nearly messed both up, requiring a rebound with the spot-kick, but recovering well to slot the Portuguese in and keep the chance alive. Could have had another penalty too.

Paul Onuachu - 7.

Played himself into the starting side with a scintillating 52 minutes. Exhibited determination and technical ability with an eclectic mix of beating players, no-look passing, aggressive pressing and aerially defending the Saints box. Turned over possession for Dibling's penalty win.

Lesley Ugochukwu made a better go of it from the bench (Image: Stuart Martin)

Substitutes

Joe Aribo - 6.

Replaced Lallana late in the first half and only managed 26 touches in about 60 minutes of action from midfield. Decent initial impact and did nothing wrong. 

Lesley Ugochukwu - 6.

An improved performance from the Frenchman, who replaced Onuachu. Was faultless in possession with 100 per cent pass success and can be pleased. 

Yukinari Sugawara - 5.

Made a couple of positive contributions with a tackle and duel but undone any work with a silly handball in the box to gift Salah the chance to win the match. 

Cameron Archer - 5.

Largely anonymous after coming on and managed only seven touches in his 20 or so minutes. Could have gotten onto the end of a Harwood-Bellis cross for only chance but not quite.