Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as the leaders survived a scare from lowly Southampton, thanks to the Egypt star's second half double in a 3-2 away win on Sunday.

Arne Slot's side had squandered the lead given to them by Dominik Szoboszlai's second goal this season as Adam Armstrong levelled before the break at St Mary's.

Liverpool's 10th win in 12 league games ensured they capitalised on City's dismal 4-0 defeat against Tottenham 24 hours earlier.

Chasing a first Premier League crown since 2020, the Reds have a golden opportunity to throttle City's hopes of a fifth successive title when Pep Guardiola's team visit Anfield on December 1.

City have lost five in a row in all competitions.

"Hopefully, we keep going in that direction," Salah said. "We have a game against them so hopefully, we win it and go 11 points clear.

"Man City is Man City", he added. "They have a bad time now, but they have great players."

Salah now has 12 goals in all competitions this term, including six in his last five league games.

"They were very important, especially after being down 2-1. It's the most important thing to have won the game," he said. "Each game is different. They had a game plan and played very well – we managed to come back and win the game."

Mateus Fernandes put bottom of the table Southampton ahead after the interval before Salah sparred Liverpool's blushes.

Salah coolly netted the equaliser and then held his nerve to stroke home the late penalty that gave him 12 goals in all competitions this season and six in his last five league appearances.

Thanks to Salah's late heroics, Liverpool have left second placed Manchester City trailing in their wake after the champions' dismal 4-0 defeat against Tottenham on Saturday.

Slot has made a remarkable start to his time in charge of the Reds, winning 16 of his first 18 games in all competitions.

The former Feyenoord manager's deft touch has established Liverpool as favourites for a first Premier League title since 2020 in his maiden season at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool were below their best against Southampton but the gritty victory was the ideal start to a pivotal period.

The Reds host Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League on Wednesday, before Manchester City head to Anfield next weekend. (AFP)