James Milner closes down Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and wins the ball back.

Southampton then build patiently down Liverpool's right before Milner puts in an expertly timed sliding tackle.

Not the worst half-time sub the hosts could've made.

Roberto Firmino beats the unaware Jannik Vestergaard to the ball and tries to pick out a red shirt in the box.

But the Dane gets back in time and makes a decent tackle.

Image source, Reuters

Trent Alexander-Arnold cuts out Jannik Vestergaard's poor cross-field ball and gets Liverpool going up the other end.

But Roberto Firmino can't quite gather the ball into his path and Sains recover.

Jordan Henderson goes long and finds Sadio Mane in the area, but the Senegal forward can't quite tap his header into the path of the onrushing Mohamed Salah and Alex McCarthy gathers.

Southampton get the game back under way.

Any way back for the Saints?

Image source, Getty Images

James Milner is indeed coming on for Xherdan Shaqiri, who had a hand in the first and third goals.

The teams are coming back out on the pitch.

It looks like James Milner is coming on for Liverpool for the second half...

So that's the goal 'drought' over for Mohamed Salah then.

Liverpool haven't even been at their best but are three goals clear at the break.

Mark Hughes is probably wearing a pretty haunted look right now in the dressing room. This could get very ugly.

It's going to be one of the great games if Southampton can come back in this one.

Liverpool firmly on the way to their seventh straight victory.

Virgil van Dijk tries to slide a long-race pass into the onrushing Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Mohamed Salah ill-advisedly cuts it out.

Salah is then fouled by Wesley Hoedt though and Liverpool have a free-kick in a dangerous area.

Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri are over this one...

Sadio Mane robs Mario Lemina with an excellent tackle before getting straight up and setting his sights on goal.

But his effort is straight at Alex McCarthy, who gets forward to catch and prevent the ball bouncing awkwardly in front of him.

Two minutes of added time to come.

Can Liverpool grab a third?

Image source, AFP

Xherdan Shaqiri is slid in behind down the left but his cross towards Mohamed Salah is cut out.

It drops to Roberto Firmino but his first-time effort is blocked.

Southampton grimly hanging on for half-time rihgt now.

Ryan Betrand gets free on the overlap down the left and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is free in the centre but scuffs his shot.

Liverpool streak down the other end and Mohamed Salah tries to get in behind Jannik Vestergaard.

The Egypt winger is forced to check back and tries to back-heel the ball into the far corner but it slides just wide.

Audacious. Sumptuous. But no goal.

Image source, AFP

Jannik Vestergaard - who started well but has looked a bit hapless as the half has gone on - heads the ball straight against Roberto Firmino and the ball almost deflects straight into the path of Mohamed Salah.

Alex McCarthy is out to smother the ball and prevent more misfortune for the Dane.

Liverpool instead swing it to the near post and Sadio Mane tries to flick it back and up with the side of his head.

That's not his forte at all and Southampton clear.

Southampton scramble to hack away two Liverpool crosses before Jordan Henderson bursts down the right and his delivery is deflected out for a corner.

Will the Reds pick out Joel Matip again?

Image source, AFP

Oriol Romeu ploughs into Xherdan Shaqiri and sends the Swiss flying.

The Saints midfielder got the ball but plenty of the man too, although Shaqiri did perhaps milk it a bit.

A yellow card for Romeu is the outcome.