'He was the one': Danny Murphy says Liverpool had a midfielder who outshone Dominik Szoboszlai vs Southampton
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Liverpool returned from the international break in fine fashion with a hard-fought 3-2 win away to Southampton on Sunday.
The Anfield club are now eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, but Mohamed Salah is expecting Man City to bounce back.
Salah scored a brace for Liverpool at St Mary's, with Dominik Szoboszlai also on target as Man City were hammered 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur a day earlier.
Conor Bradley impressed for Liverpool against the Saints, as did Salah, but it was another superb team performance from the Reds.
Arne Slot has continued his dream start to life in England, with the Dutchman now leading his side to 10 wins from his 12 Premier League games.
Danny Murphy praises 'exceptional' Ryan Gravenberch vs Southampton
The manager once again rotated his side given the recent international break and indeed the upcoming busy schedule, although star midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was entrusted from the start, alongside Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones.
And it was the Netherlands ace who particularly caught the eye of former Anfield midfielder Danny Murphy, who said on BBC Match of the Day 2: "When you’re struggling a little bit – and they weren’t at their scintillating best, partly because of Southampton being good – you need players who are prepared to step up, take responsibility, take risks and try and impact the game, you have to be brave, and top players do that.
"Too many midfielders play safe, don’t take enough responsibility as far as I’m concerned, looking at it from a midfielder myself, and that man today was Ryan Gravenberch. He’s had a terrific season, mainly been applauded for his defensive work, but I think his attacking work and his willingness to take risks today was exceptional. He’s brilliant at this, skipping by players, running forward with the ball. I know he gives the ball away, but he tries to play somebody in, he’s not passing on the responsibility, hate seeing that.
READ MORE:Everything to know on Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai from his girlfriend to net worth
"As I said, winning the ball back, great at that, getting himself forward into dangerous areas, picking the right pass, and [Darwin] Nunez has his shot blocked. And again we see here, taking responsibility, I’ll have the ball, I’ll get it under pressure. Look, his head up, he’s always looking forward, trying to get Salah in.
"And what’s great about this next pass that gives Salah the goal, the equaliser, he’s just given two away, and he’s still prepared to take responsibility. And that’s what I’m talking about, great mentality in top players. See it from this angle, beautiful pass, great touch from Salah. And sometimes credit has to go to players for taking risks even when it doesn’t work, and that’s why I wanted to do him today.
"This bit encapsulates his season in many ways, the work ethic, the ability to spot danger, put fires out and then use the ball really well. There was other good performances, Szoboszlai did well first half, but I think overall, in the second half, he was the one that grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck."
Danny Murphy makes 'soft' Southampton penalty claim vs Liverpool
The meeting at St Mary's certainly wasn't short of controversy, with Southampton having equalised via an Adam Armstrong penalty rebound after his spot-kick was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Both players were then involved in another altercation in the box, with Saints manager Russell Martin adamant that his side deserved another penalty.
READ MORE:Three midfield alternatives to Martin Zubimendi who Liverpool should be looking to sign in January
Murphy certainly empathised with the boss on the controversy, saying: "I think it would have been soft but I do understand Russell Martin's grievance.
"I mean, some weeks you will see them given, so it’s not an outrageous disappointment from him, but I think that would have been soft."
