Tactics
Jurgen Klopp made six changes to his starting XI after the Porto game, ensuring the Reds can maintain their intensive playing style three days after the Champions League win.
Jota returned to the centre-forward spot and you could see how eager he was to put his name on the scoresheet. The Portuguese's trademark ice-cool finishing gave the Reds an early advantage, complicating things for Ralph Hasenhuttl and making the game much easier for Liverpool.
Having conceded two minutes after the starting whistle, Southampton were forced to push forward. And this is exactly what the Reds wanted as they found plenty of space in the Saints' third.
After two minutes and Jota's opener, the match was all about Liverpool winning the ball back and instantly sending it forward for their fleet-footed attackers to wreak havoc on Southampton's disorganised backline.
This is a type of game Liverpool relish playing. The Reds hunted in packs, blocking passing lanes and forcing the Saints into hopeful long balls for Broja and Armstrong. Southampton's pass completion rate stood at a meagre 69% (Liverpool's was 81%) by the end of the game and it shows how excellent the Reds' pressing was.
Tactics score: 10/10
Attack
Liverpool had 20 attempts and 6 shots on goal, creating an obscene number of goalscoring opportunities. The Reds could have given Southampton their customary 9-0 mauling (it happens once a season with Ralph Hasenhuttl's side) but their finishing meant they had to settle for a considerably less embarrassing 4-0 victory.
The Reds were in control, finishing the game with 64.4 per cent possession. They won the midfield battle as Liverpool put the visitors under intense pressure, often getting the ball back in the middle third and springing quick counter-attacks.
Liverpool's average passing sequence stood at just 5 passes per attacking move as the Reds preferred to hit Southampton on the break over long and elaborate combinations.
Dead-ball situations were another source of creativity for the hosts. Sadio Mane headed the ball into the net after Robbo's free-kick cross only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Van Dijk fired home from the middle of the penalty area, connecting to Trent's corner.
Overall, it was an impressive offensive display by the Reds. It will take a lot of time for Southampton defenders, especially for their full-backs Livramento and Perraud, to forget how easily Robbo, Mane, Trent, Salah and Jota bypassed them.
Attack rating: 10/10
Defence
Speaking after the game, Jurgen Klopp said that he wasn't particularly happy with how Liverpool defended.
The Reds allowed Southampton three good chances. When Liverpool were 1-0 up, Broja picked up the ball after Trent's poor throw-in and ran past Konate to go one-on-one against Alisson.
Shortly before the interval, Livramento's cross found the unmarked Armstrong in the box.
Armstrong had another opportunity after Van Dijk's goal as Southampton caught Liverpool on the break.
Alisson bailed the Reds out on these three occasions and kept a clean sheet. Klopp needs to address the issue in training as the game could have gone differently had Broja and Armstrong been more clinical in front of goal.
However, it's not as if Liverpool's defence was carved open and the team rode their luck to victory. It was a good display at the back but some improvement is definitely needed.
Defence rating: 6/10
Fighting spirit
We saw Liverpool throw away a two-goal lead before so the lads deserve credit for learning from their mistakes and not letting this game slip through their fingers.
The Reds' intensity did not drop after the first, second or third goals and they continued to threaten Alex McCarthy, going for the fourth.
Liverpool put their feet off the pedal a bit after going 4-0 up but the game was already won at that time.
So full marks for controlling the game throughout 90 minutes and not repeating the Brighton nightmare.
Fighting spirit rating: 10/10
