Liverpool trounce Southampton, Gerrard enjoys second win with Villa

LONDON (Reuters): Liverpool churned out another big victory when they thumped Southampton 4-0 to close in on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League on Saturday, while former skipper Liverpool Steven Gerrard enjoyed a second consecutive win as Aston Villa manager.

Liverpool have now scored 39 times in 13 league games this season after Diogo Jota's double and goals by Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk eased them past Southampton at Anfield.

Juergen Klopp's side have scored at least twice in 17 consecutive games in all competitions, the first English top-flight side to achieve that since Sunderland in 1927.

Villa followed up their win over Brighton & Hove Albion last week in Gerrard's first game in charge with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, with Matt Targett and John McGinn scoring.

Newcastle United's new manager Eddie Howe took his place on the touchline for the first time after missing last week's draw against Brentford because of a positive COVID-19 test, but saw his side lose 2-0 away at Arsenal.

Goals by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the points for fifth-placed Arsenal to move them level on 23 points with fourth-placed West Ham United.

For bottom club Newcastle, now winless in 13 games and with only six points to show for their season so far, the relegation fears show no sign of easing.

Newcastle’s next two games – at home to fellow strugglers Norwich City and Burnley – could define their season.