Liverpool player ratings vs Southampton: Shaqiri stars – but how did Salah perform?

Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory after a scintilating first-half display against Southampton at Anfield.

A Wesley Hoedt own goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, before Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah piled on the misery.

Virgil van Dijk left the field with a suspected rib injury, but Jurgen Klopp will have been delighted with his superstars during the game.

Xherdan Shaqiri made his first Premier League start for Liverpool and it was his free-kick that slammed the crossbar to tee up Salah’s finish.

Express Sport has rated Liverpool stars’ performances after the clash with Southampton – do you agree?

Alisson – 7

Standard. The Brazilian star enjoyed a quiet afternoon but produced a great save when it mattered.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8

Air-tight at the back, dangerous going forward, the England international continues to shine brighter with each passing game.

Joel Matip – 7

Looked convincing on his return to the line-up and marked his comeback with a goal. Job done.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Once again a mountainous display, this time against his former team. He left the field injured but walked off himself. Hopefully it’s just a precaution.

Andrew Robertson – 7

Like most Liverpool players, he didn’t really have a lot to contend with. Whenever he was called upon, he controlled the situation with ease.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7

He’s enjoying a great start to the season and appears to be thriving on the competition. He was rarely stretched and got through the dirty work effectively.

Jordan Henderson – 7

Looked comfortable in midfield. He was a confident presence that kept the game ticking along with tidy, short passes.

Sadio Mane – 7

Busy, busy, busy, despite failing to get his name on the score sheet. Made a terrific pass to find Shaqiri for the Swiss star’s goal.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 8

If there were any doubts about whether Shaqiri would fit into this team, they have been allayed. A terrier-like worker, so unlucky not to score from a free-kick, an excellent option who will push for a starting spot again.

Roberto Firmino – 6

Underwhelming return, but with the game effectively over at half-time, there was no need to go all-guns-blazing for a fourth.

Mohamed Salah – 6

Continued to lack the same edge we became used to last season. Salah looked fine, but he is lacking the same explosiveness as 2017/18.