SHANE LONG BECAME just the fourth Republic of Ireland international to reach 50 Premier League goals, as the striker’s ninth-minute strike stunned Liverpool in tonight’s clash at St Mary’s.
After finding the net just once all season, Long slammed a low right-footed effort past Alisson to hand Southampton an early lead against title-chasing Liverpool, and join Robbie Keane [126], Niall Quinn [59] and Damien Duff [54] in scoring a half-century of top-flight goals.
Long capitalised on Liverpool’s inability to deal with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s cross from the left, and after it sailed over Virgil van Dijk’s head, the Tipperary native took one touch to compose himself before firing low into the corner for just his third goal in 39 games.
He ought to have doubled Southampton’s lead shortly after, but Long failed to get sufficient contact on a low cross after Liverpool were again caught in possession by the hosts.
The Reds rebounded strongly before half-time through Naby Keita, and Mo Salah and Jordan Henderson scored late on to secure a crucial three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Gavan Casey and Ryan Bailey are joined by Bernard Jackman to look back on a thrilling weekend of European rugby on the latest episode of The42 Rugby Weekly:
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