Jeff Stelling in awe of 'sensational' Southampton talent who outshone Liverpool

Jeff Stelling has branded Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling the best player on the pitch in their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints were the architects of their own downfall in that game at St Mary’s on 24 November, gifting the visitors the lead with a disastrous attempt to play out from the back, before throwing away a 2-1 lead built by Adam Armstrong and Mateus Fernandes with more poor defending.

Foalkeeper Alex McCarthy misjudged the direction of a long ball forward, which allowed Mo Salah to slot home and make it 2-2, before a handball inside the area from substitute Yuki Sugawara then allowed the Egyptian to seal the win for Liverpool from the penalty spot.

Speaking about the game on talkSPORT, an infuriated Ally McCoist insisted Russell Martin’s would have to cut out those defensive errors to have a chance of staying up, saying: “The defending, what’s going on?

“They’re not learning any lessons. I’m willing them to do well, I’m wanting to see them get a result Southampton, but the defending and the goals they lose, dear me incredible. But Liverpool, that’s the sign of a good team.”

Responding to that, Stelling suggested that other than those mistakes, the hosts had been the better team, and was delighted by teenager Dibling, as he added: “They (Liverpool) keep winning without playing well. Because I didn’t think they did play at all well in that game.

“Southampton scored the best goal of the game, it was absolutely brilliant, and I think they had the player as well in Tyler Dibling who was sensational.”

Tyler Dibling continues to shine for Southampton

Football Insider Opinion

It is hard to argue with that observation from Stelling, with the 18-year-old putting in an outstanding performance on Sunday.

According to SofaScore, Dibling was one of only two players involved in more than ten duels during the match (11), while no player attempted more dribble than the teenager (5).

It was also his run and the foul he drew that earned Southampton the penalty from which they equalised to make it 1-1.

This is not the first time that the midfielder has impressed this season. He also caused the likes of Man United plenty of problems earlier in the campaign, so the Saints have a real talent on their hands.

Manager Martin finds himself under pressure though thanks to the issues at the back, with others potentially waiting in the wings.

It is clear from performances like this against the league laders that Southampton have the quality to pick up results in the Premier League.

But if he continues to persist with the tactic of playing out from defence that has seen them give away goals on numerous occasions, including Sunday, it becomes a lot harder to do that.

The Southampton board may therefore have a decision to make on Martin’s future, depending on if they feel he is still the best man to get the most out of talents such as Dibling and stay in the top flight.

In other news, Liverpool fans are fuming over new footage from Sunday’s match with Southampton.

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