Slot finds himself in a Darwin WIN situation

KEEPING FAITH WITH NUNEZ PAYS DIVIDENDS

- ANDY DUNN

HAVING rather harshly called him out for his attitude and effort recently, perhaps Arne Slot - sat high in the stands - thought he owed Darwin Nunez a favour.

Perhaps he thought hooking the Uruguayan striker at half-time would have added a grievous insult to the injury his criticism caused.

But in truth, few people inside Anfield would have been surprised if Nunez had not appeared for the second half of this contest.

Had referee Lewis Smith - or Matt Donohue, on VAR - decided that the Nunez chase of Kyle Walker-Peters and subsequent, premeditated kick at the Southampton full-back been worthy of a red card, Liverpool would have been reduced to 10 men just before the interval, and just after Will Smallbone had opened the scoring for the visitors.

Officiating-wise, it was a decisive moment in the match.

And it was not the only one of those that favoured the champions-elect.

The 31-year-old - who hails from Wigan, 20 miles away from Anfield was taking charge of a Liverpool game for the first time in his blossoming career.