Highlights: Liverpool beat Southampton 2-1 to keep up with rivals

Liverpool players celebrate the first goal by Raheem Sterling

Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling scored a goal each to beat Southampton 2-1 at Anfield in their opening game to begin their title challenge for the 2014-15 season.

Liverpool went joint-top along with Arsenal and Swansea only for Manchester City to pip them by the end of the end with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at St. James Park.

In a somewhat subdued performance, a far cry from the slam-bang approach last season the home side were devoid of space in attack thanks to some great defensive work from the visitors.

Liverpool started with new boys Manquillo and Lovren in defence with former St. Mary’s favourite Rickie Lambert on the bench while the visiting side had four debutants in Forster, Bertrand, Tadic and Pelle.

Liverpool 1-0 Southampton : Sterling (23’)

Quite against the run of play, Jordan Henderson produced and excellent ball from midfield for the quick-footed Raheem Sterling in the 23rd minute after winning a 50-50 challenge against French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

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Liverpool 1-1 Southampton : Clyne (56’)

Ward-Prowse had a great freekick saved by Mignolet and Sterling tested Forster again, but it remained 1-0 at halftime.The breakthrough for Southampton came the 2nd half as new signing Dusan Tadic produced a neat-backheel for Nathaniel Clyne to produce a powerful shot past Mignolet

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Liverpool 2-1 Southampton: Sturridge (79’)

Former Southampton boy Rickie Lambert came on for his Liverpool debut as Steven Davis missed a glorious opportunity to give his team the team but his tame shot was comfortably dealt with by Mignolet.

Just when it looked like Southampton might escape with a draw or better still score another, a cross by right-back Manquillo headed clear by Wanyama was dealt with poorly with Sterling heading it into Sturridge’s path for the English striker to score the winner.