Roberto Firmino moment speaks volumes as another…

Roberto Firmino moment speaks volumes as another Liverpool career may have just ended

Kelleher faces decision

Along with the expected departures, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility the travelling Kop were unwittingly waving goodbye to one or two others here.

And chief among them could be Caoimhin Kelleher.

Jurgen Klopp was adamant earlier this month it would take an exceptional offer for Liverpool to even contemplate allowing the goalkeeper to leave during the forthcoming transfer window.

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However, that this was a first Premier League start in almost 18 months – and only a fourth appearance since his League Cup final heroics against Chelsea last season – demonstrates the firm grip Alisson Becker has on the number one jersey.

Kelleher, for the good of his own career, may decide it is time to move on. Indeed, speaking earlier this campaign, he admitted he would assess his options at the end of the season.

This, though, was an afternoon to forget, no doubt disappointed at conceding four goals, particularly those from Kamaldeen Sulemana and Adam Armstrong.

Yes, it’s hard to be overly critical given the Irishman’s undoubted ring-rust and the porous defence in front of him on an at times slapstick afternoon. But Alisson is arguably Liverpool’s player of the season for a reason. A big decision awaits.

Firmino and Milner’s fitting farewells

There was something wholly apt about the manner in which two stalwarts ended their Liverpool careers at a boiling St Mary’s.

For James Milner, the afternoon began as skipper in midfield and ended with him having handed the captain’s armband to Jordan Henderson while playing out the final half-hour at left-back – the position where he reluctantly spent the entire 2016/17 campaign.

Small wonder the banner in the away end declared “Milner 7 Legend”, the unassuming 37-year-old given a shove by Cody Gakpo after the final whistle to go and take in the plaudits.

Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, marked his goodbye by putting two Southampton defenders on their backside before stroking home Liverpool’s second goal.

On his substitution shortly before the hour, the Brazilian was afforded a standing ovation by not just the away fans, but most home supporters too. It was richly-deserved acknowledgement of one of the Premier League’s most unique talents.

Between them, Milner and Firmino made 694 appearances for Liverpool and notched 137 goals. But numbers alone cannot fully quantify their seismic influence during a glorious period in the club’s illustrious history.

Salah comes up short

Amid the flurry of changes on the South Coast, there was one Liverpool player who was never going to want to be rested for this dead rubber.

After all, if there are goals to be scored, Mohamed Salah very much wants in.

The Egyptian’s inclusion in the starting line-up and the absence of Alisson ensured he was the only player to have been involved in every Premier League game this season.

Indeed, that he has not kicked a ball in only 10 of Liverpool’s 228 top-flight matches since his arrival six years speaks volumes for both his importance and durability.

While not Salah’s best outing, he still assisted Diogo Jota’s second, struck the post himself and drew a brilliant save from Alex McCarthy, meaning he fell short in his attempt to become the first player to score 20 goals and provide at least 10 assists in three Premier League campaigns.

Jota’s season, meanwhile, encapsulated that of the team as a while, twice sidelined by lengthy injury problems and going more than a year without scoring before his brace here meant he ended with seven goals in his last nine outings.

He, like Luis Diaz, will be eager for the new season to start. But for most others associated with Liverpool, the end couldn’t have come soon enough. Time for a regroup and a rethink.

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