Dominik Szoboszlai urged his Liverpool team-mates not to get distracted by the Premier League table after a 3-2 win at Southampton saw the title hopefuls move eight points clear at the top.
Szoboszlai opened the scoring at St Mary’s on the half-hour mark after some sharp Reds pressing punished a sloppy attempt by the home side to play out from the back.
Goals from Adam Armstrong and Mateus Fernandes then turned the game in the Saints’ favour.
But Mo Salah hit back with a brace for the Reds to leave Arne Slot’s men as overwhelming title favourites.
Liverpool’s victory on the South Coast came less than 24 hours after second-placed Manchester City lost 4-0 at home to Tottenham.
But Szoboszlai is determined to make sure that he and the rest of the Liverpool squad do not get carried away.
Dominik Szoboszlai pictured celebrating after Liverpool won 3-2 at Southampton on Sunday
Szoboszlai was mobbed by his team-mates after scoring the game’s opening goal at St Mary’s
When asked about the eight-point gap in a post-game interview with Sky Sports, Szoboszlai replied: ‘It is a great feeling but it is the beginning of the season. We just need to continue and not think where the other teams are.’
Szoboszlai also praised Southampton and admitted that they provided tough opposition.
‘They are a good team, good with the ball,’ he added. ‘They scored two quick goals, but the most important thing was the reaction. We showed it very well and are happy with the three points.’
On his goal and the pressing that led to it, Szoboszlai continued: ‘We had a couple of meetings before the game and we know they build-up from the back. Sometimes they do well, sometimes they make mistakes and that was the case here. We pressed really well and got the goal.’
Salah’s brace saw the Egyptian become the first Liverpool player to hit 10 Premier League goals this season.
The former Chelsea wideman is only under contract at Anfield until June next year, but Szoboszlai made it clear that he hopes he will stay beyond then.
Szoboszlai concluded his interview by saying: ‘Everyone knows Mo. He just has to keep going and I hope I play with him for as long as I can.’
Salah also spoke to Sky Sports after Sunday’s game.
Egyptian ace Mo Salah netted twice in the second half to earn Liverpool a significant victory
Sunday’s win left Arne Slot’s Liverpool eight points clear of Man City at the top of the table
Discussing his two goals, Salah said: ‘They were very important, especially after being down 2-1. It’s the most important thing to have won the game.
‘Each game is different. They had a game plan and played very well.
‘We managed to come back and win the game. I think we have a good game plan, we played our game and I was confident we would create chances.’
On moving eight points clear of City – who Liverpool will host next weekend – Salah commented: ‘It’s great.
‘Hopefully, we keep going in that direction. We have a game against them so hopefully, we win it and go 11 points clear.
‘Man City is Man City. They have a bad time now but they have great players.’