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.
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WOW, WOW, JOAO
Pedro's late, late penalty breaks Seagullsâ hoodoo
WEST THE BEST VALUE
Mullins' third string can be a Gold player for punters
Nicholls has eyes on a nifty fifty
PAUL NICHOLLS has been around long enough to realise a stop-start season does not make or break your career.
JOEL 90
Eddie chuffed his Brazil ace is match fit again
Ji-sung's on song for Swans
SWANSEA put a dent in Middlesbrough's Championship play-off bid as Eom Ji-sung's first goal in English football gave them a 1-0 victory.
TWISTON'S SHOUT
Brits ready to compete with Irish
Keeping minds on winning
ALEX NEIL says Millwall have drawn a line under the controversy surrounding the dismissal of keeper Liam Roberts at Crystal Palace last weekend following his side's victory at Watford.
Owls step on Gass after sluggish start
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY manager Danny Rohl was proud of how his side responded to Plymouthâs fast start as they eventually took control to record a convincing victory.
Blinded by the nights
Nocturnal tourism is taking off in Tromso, finds Graham Hiscott
Jack the lad
Danny Dyer is ever so naughty but somewhat nice as he reunites with Nick Love - director of The Football Factory and The Business for this bruising comedy-drama about a passionate fan of the beautiful game, who vows to turn his life around for the sake of his family.
