Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah once again led the way for Liverpool as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners at Southampton to close within two points of second-place Manchester United.

It was by no means a vintage display from Jurgen Klopp's men, but they did ultimately cruise thanks to the individual quality of Firmino and Salah, who have now scored 34 of Liverpool's 61 Premier League goals this term.

Any hopes Mauricio Pellegrino had of his side keeping things tight early on vanished after just six minutes, as Liverpool punished a Wesley Hoedt error to open the scoring through Firmino – the alert Salah setting him up.

Southampton were the better side for the remainder of the first half, but visiting goalkeeper Loris Karius ensured they failed to make the most of their superiority and a glorious exchange in which Firmino repaid the favour to Salah in the 42nd minute saw Liverpool double the lead against the run of play.

Liverpool – who had Virgil van Dijk making his first return to St Mary's Stadium since his £75million move – looked rather more switched on at the back in the second half and Southampton's chances dried up.

Klopp's side could have added further gloss to the scoreline as they missed a couple more opportunities, but Southampton never looked like fighting back and Liverpool successfully capitalised on United's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United earlier on Sunday.

One mistake was all it took for Southampton to find themselves behind early on, with Hoedt culpable.

The Dutch defender completely missed his kick when trying to deal with a long ball and Salah pounced in a flash, showing great awareness to square to Firmino, who confidently slotted past Alex McCarthy.

Southampton responded well and exerted pressure on their visitors, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg forcing Karius into action from close range in the 18th minute.

Karius, easily the busier of the two goalkeepers, was tested again just before the half-hour mark, halting Guido Carrillo's header from a James Ward-Prowse cross.

And the German did brilliantly a few moments later, tipping Ward-Prowse's header just over.

Southampton were ultimately made to rue their missed chances when Salah finished with aplomb after a brilliant one-two with Firmino, who set the Egyptian up with a delightful backheel just before the break.

Salah afforded Saints a let-off early in the second half, shooting over from just inside the area after a Sadio Mane effort ricocheted right into his path.

The hosts were rather less effective going forward in the second period and their only chance fell to Hoedt in the 59th minute, but he could only find the side-netting when flicking on a Ward-Prowse corner.

Liverpool should have put the game beyond Southampton 20 minutes from time when Firmino saw his effort saved by McCarthy and Salah put the rebound into the side-netting.

Mane and substitute Adam Lallana had further opportunities in the final 15 minutes, though neither miss mattered a great deal as Liverpool clinched all three points with minimal fuss.