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Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp and Curtis Jones (l.), who was in the starting XI against Southampton
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Clive Rose/Getty Images
Team manager Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC took advantage of Manchester City's loss of points and saved their chance in the fight for the English championship.
The Reds beat FC Southampton at the end of the 37th match day despite being behind 2-1 (1-1) and moved up to one point behind leaders City (90) in the table.
Coach Pep Guardiola's team only drew at West Ham at the weekend.
"It was a top game," said Klopp on Sky: "I expect a lot from my team and would have accepted a less good performance with nine changes today." Match winner Joel Matip received special praise from Klopp: "He couldn't be bigger internally. « Matip scored the winning goal with a header in the 67th minute.
Previously, former Southampton pro Takumi Minamino (27th) equalized the early lead of Nathan Redmond (13th).
Klopp had rebuilt his team after the FA Cup victory against Chelsea and rested many regular players.
Full-backs Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold were given a break, as was playmaker Thiago.
The two top strikers Sadio Mané and Mohamad Salah were not even in the squad, the ailing Salah is hoping for a return for the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 28.
In the Premier League, the decision in the fight for the title will be made on the last day of the game.
Liverpool take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the season finale on Sunday, while City host Aston Villa.
Reds legend Steven Gerrard is the coach at the Birmingham club.
He would "of course not call Gerrard," said Klopp after the success in Southampton.
Nevertheless, there is still great hope for help.
Looking at his club's chances of winning the championship, he said: "It's here.
But I don't think they're extremely large."
Having won the League Cup, the FA Cup and a place in the Champions League final, Liverpool still have four trophies possible this season.
krä/sid/dpa
