Premier League: Liverpool beat Southampton to ensure title race goes down to the final day

Liverpool kept the Premier League title race alive until the final day of the season after winning 2-1 at Southampton.

The result leaves Liverpool a point behind leaders Manchester City ahead of Monday's (NZ time) final round of games. City are at home to Aston Villa while Liverpool host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.

City have 90 points with Liverpool on 89, meaning that victory for Pep Guardiola's side against Villa would secure their fourth league title in five seasons.

Jurgen Klopp rested nine of the team who beat Chelsea on penalties in the FA Cup final and his choice was looking questionable when Southampton took a 13th-minute lead through a wonderful Nathan Redmond strike after the winger had cut in from the left flank.

But Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 29 (NZ time), drew level 14 minutes later with Takumi Minamino, making his first league start for the club in 18 months, firing a fierce shot in at the near post.

The goal took the wind out of Southampton's sails and Liverpool secured the three points when Kostas Tsimikas' corner was headed in by Joel Matip.

Reuters