REPORT: Danny Ings fires Southampton to win over Liverpool

Danny Ings fired Southampton to a 1-0 win over the defending Premier League champions Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium on Monday night.

Ings scored after just one minute and 52 seconds, turning in James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick with a splendid volley that looped into the far side of the goal.

Nathan Tella, who replaced Moussa Djenepo through injury, had a chance to double the lead but flashed over the goal nearing half-time.

Tella was set up by Ings with a smart ball over the top that, but the winger couldn’t hit the target with a curling right-footed shot after cutting inside.

Saints withstood a flurry of second half chances as Liverpool dominated possession with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino each heading narrowly wide of the goal.

Former Saints man Sadio Mane had Liverpool’s first shot on target in the 75th minute, but he didn’t have the power behind his shot to beat Forster, who was able to drop down to make the save.

Mane was unable to then keep his header on target deep into added time as Saints held on for all three points.

Southampton was without Oriol Romeu and Che Adams due to injury, as well as goalkeeper Alex McCarthy who was out through COVID-19 protocols.

Southampton (4-4-2): Forster; Bertrand, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Djenepo (Tella), Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Armstrong; Walcott (Valery 81), Ings (N’Lundulu 77)

Unused subs: Lewis (GK), Valery, Vokins, Smallbone, Ramsay, Chauke, Long

Goals: Ings (2)

Bookings: Bertrand (90+4)

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold (Milner 78); Winjaldum, Alcantara, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Shaqiri 57); Mane, Salah, Firmino

Unused subs: Kelleher (GK), Williams, Minamino, Origi, Jones, Phillips, Williams

Goals: None

Bookings: Thiago (3), Robertson (15), Shaqiri (79)