The Liverpool midfielder was approaching the edge of the box when Van Dijk caught up with him.
Lallana attempted to shift the ball towards his right foot.
Van Dijk stretched out a leg.
The challenge arrived late.
His boot caught Lallana's ankle as the midfielder tried to move beyond him, sending Lallana stumbling forward.
The ball rolled away.
Lallana fell near the edge of the penalty area.
The whistle sounded.
---
"Free-kick, Liverpool!"
The entire stadium reacted at once.
Some supporters shouted for a penalty, while others demanded a red card. Milner threw his arms out and turned towards Marriner.
"That has to be a foul! He was through!"
Marriner pointed towards a position just outside the penalty area.
"Free-kick. Outside the box."
Van Dijk raised his hands.
"I was going for the ball!"
Marriner walked towards him.
"You were late. Give him space."
Lallana remained on the grass, one hand gripping his ankle.
Azim stopped beside him.
For a moment, the noise of the stadium seemed to recede.
Lallana tried to sit up, then grimaced as he moved his foot.
"Adam?"
Azim crouched beside him.
"Where does it hurt?"
"Ankle," Lallana replied through clenched teeth. "Caught me awkwardly."
The midfielder tried to move his foot.
His expression tightened.
Azim looked towards Van Dijk.
The defender was speaking to the referee, gesturing towards the ball as if attempting to explain the challenge.
Something inside Azim turned cold.
He had spent the match being followed, crowded and challenged. He had accepted the physical contact that came with playing as a centre-forward. But Lallana had made the run, timed it well and reached the ball with a chance to create a goal.
Van Dijk had arrived late.
And now Lallana was struggling to move his ankle.
Azim rose and walked towards the defender.
"What are you doing?"
Van Dijk turned.
"What?"
"You were beaten. He was through. You couldn't reach the ball, so you took him down."
"I went for the ball."
"You went through his ankle."
Van Dijk stepped closer.
"Watch your mouth, boy."
Azim gave him a short, disbelieving laugh.
"Or what?"
The exchange lasted only a few seconds, but other players were already moving towards them.
Coutinho approached from the left.
Milner came across from the centre, his expression dark with anger.
Sakho jogged forward from the defensive line, while Southampton's Fonte and Wanyama moved towards their teammate.
Van Dijk held his ground.
Azim stepped closer and gave him a light push against the chest.
It was not an attempt to hurt him. It was a brief, frustrated movement, a physical expression of the anger he had been struggling to contain.
"What are you doing?" Azim repeated. "You don't get to do that and then pretend nothing happened."
Van Dijk's shoulders tightened.
He took a step forward.
Marriner immediately moved between them.
"That's enough! Both of you, back away!"
Milner caught Azim by the arm and pulled him several steps away.
"Leave it!"
Azim looked towards the referee.
"He nearly injured him!"
"And I have dealt with the challenge," Marriner replied firmly. "You do not get to decide what happens next. Back away."
Azim's jaw tightened.
He wanted to argue.
He wanted to tell the referee that Van Dijk had been following him all afternoon and that the challenge had been the result of a defender finally losing control of a duel he could not win.
But the referee was right about 1 thing.
Azim did not get to decide the punishment.
He took a breath and stepped back.
Van Dijk looked towards Lallana, who was still sitting on the grass.
His expression remained defensive.
"I was going for the ball," he repeated.
Milner turned towards him.
"Then learn to time the challenge."
Fonte stepped between the 2 players.
"Leave it, James."
"Tell your defender to stop going through people."
Marriner raised his voice.
"Everyone away. Now."
The players finally began to separate.
But the atmosphere had changed.
The challenge had turned a footballing contest into something personal.
And Azim knew that if he allowed his anger to make the next decision for him, Southampton would have found another way to influence the match.
Jürgen Klopp had seen the challenge from the touchline.
He surged towards the technical-area boundary, both arms raised as he shouted towards the officials.
"That is a clear foul! He has gone straight through him!"
The fourth official stood near the dugout, listening as Klopp pointed towards the area just outside the penalty box.
"He was through on goal! What else does he have to do?"
The official replied that the referee had awarded a free-kick and was managing the situation.
Klopp shook his head.
"Managing it? Look at the player!"
He turned towards Lallana, who was still on the ground while the Liverpool medical staff hurried across.
One of the coaches caught Klopp by the arm as he moved closer to the touchline.
"Jürgen, let the referee deal with it."
Klopp barely acknowledged him.
He continued pointing towards the pitch, his frustration visible in the tension of his shoulders and the sharp movements of his hands.
Lallana's injury mattered more than the free-kick.
The midfielder had been one of Liverpool's most important links between the press and the attack. He could drop towards the ball, turn under pressure and move into the spaces that allowed Coutinho and Azim to combine.
Losing him would change the structure of the team.
Klopp knew it.
Milner knew it.
And Azim, standing a few metres away, could feel the consequences beginning to settle over him.
He had created the opportunity with a pass that removed Van Dijk from the action. Lallana had made the run and taken the challenge.
The move had worked.
But the result had left a teammate on the grass.
Azim looked towards the medical staff as they knelt beside Lallana.
The midfielder was speaking to them, his face tight with discomfort. He attempted to move his ankle again and grimaced.
"Can you stand?" one of the medics asked.
"I think so."
"Don't rush it. Tell me if it hurts."
Lallana placed both hands on the turf and pushed himself upright.
He could stand.
He could even take a few steps.
But the discomfort remained visible in the way he placed his foot on the ground.
Azim approached carefully.
"Adam?"
Lallana looked at him.
"I'm all right."
"You don't look all right."
"I said I'm all right."
His voice was sharper than usual.
Azim stopped.
Lallana took another step, testing his ankle. He managed it, but his expression tightened again.
The medic placed a hand against his shoulder.
"Slowly. We need to assess it."
Lallana nodded reluctantly.
Azim felt a brief, unpleasant twist of guilt.
He had wanted to create the chance.
He had wanted to beat the man marking him and send the ball into the channel.
He had not wanted Lallana to be hurt.
The distinction was obvious, but it did not make the sight of his teammate struggling to walk any easier to watch.
Milner approached and crouched beside Lallana.
"How bad?"
"Not sure," Lallana replied. "It hurts, but I can move it."
"Can you run?"
Lallana hesitated.
"I can try."
The medic gave him a look.
"Trying isn't the same as being ready to sprint."
Lallana exhaled and looked towards the touchline.
Klopp was still speaking animatedly to the fourth official, but he had turned his attention towards the medical team.
Azim stepped away.
He needed to focus on the free-kick.
The opportunity was still there.
Liverpool were 2-0 ahead, but a 3rd goal before half-time would put Southampton under even greater pressure. It would also give the team a moment of control after the confrontation and the concern over Lallana's injury.
Coutinho was already walking towards the ball.
Azim followed him.
The free-kick was positioned just outside the penalty area, slightly to the right of centre.
It was close enough for a direct attempt, but far enough out that Southampton could construct a wall and give Stekelenburg time to organise his position.
Marriner measured the distance and instructed the defenders to retreat.
"Back. Give them the required distance."
Van Dijk moved towards the wall.
His expression remained hard, and he looked towards Azim as he passed.
Azim met his gaze but said nothing.
There was no point continuing the argument.
The foul had been awarded.
The free-kick was Liverpool's.
The next decision belonged to the players standing over the ball.
Coutinho placed the ball carefully on the grass.
Azim approached from the right and looked towards the goal.
Stekelenburg was directing his defenders, pointing towards the near side and adjusting the position of the wall. Fonte stood beside Van Dijk, while Wanyama crouched slightly as he prepared to jump.
The goalkeeper expected a shot that would bend around the wall towards the far side.
Coutinho studied the arrangement.
Azim glanced at him.
"Where do you want to put it?"
Coutinho kept his eyes on the goal.
"Near post."
Azim looked towards Stekelenburg.
"The wall is covering most of that side."
"Most of it," Coutinho replied.
Azim smiled faintly.
"Confident."
Coutinho finally looked at him.
"You asked."
Azim stepped away from the ball.
Coutinho took another look at the goalkeeper, then adjusted his position to the right of the ball. His body was relaxed, but his eyes were fixed on the gap between the wall and the near post.
The Brazilian had the technique to bend the ball around a barrier, and he knew Stekelenburg would be watching for the more obvious trajectory towards the far corner.
The question was whether he could convince the goalkeeper to move half a step too far.
Azim stood a few feet away, positioned as though he might be the player taking the free-kick.
Stekelenburg noticed him.
The goalkeeper shifted his attention between Azim and Coutinho, uncertain whether Liverpool intended a direct shot or a rehearsed combination.
Coutinho bent forward slightly.
Azim remained still.
Milner shouted from behind them.
"Concentrate!"
Coutinho raised his head one final time.
Then he began his run.
His approach was short and controlled.
He planted his left foot beside the ball and struck with the inside of his right.
The contact produced a crisp, clean sound.
The ball rose over the edge of the wall, clearing the nearest defender before bending sharply towards the near side.
Stekelenburg had already started moving towards the far corner.
He recognised the change in the ball's path and tried to recover, pushing off his right foot and extending his left hand.
He was late.
The ball curled beyond his fingertips and dipped inside the near post.
The net rippled.
Liverpool 3, Southampton 0.
For a moment, the stadium seemed to erupt all over again.
Coutinho turned away with both arms raised.
Azim jumped beside him and drove his fist towards the Kop, celebrating with the same uninhibited energy that had accompanied his own goals.
"YES!"
Milner sprinted towards the Brazilian, shouting in delight.
Can caught Coutinho around the shoulders.
Lucas raised both arms as he ran towards them, while the Liverpool bench rose almost as one.
Klopp erupted beside the touchline.
He punched the air, shouted towards the stands and turned towards his assistants with a grin that made it impossible to mistake his delight.
"JAAAA! What a goal!"
The fourth official had barely stepped away from the earlier confrontation before Klopp was celebrating in front of him.
For a moment, the manager appeared to have forgotten the argument entirely.
His team had scored a 3rd goal before half-time, and the manner of the strike had transformed the mood around Anfield.
The commentators were shouting over one another.
"WHAT A FREE-KICK!"
"COUTINHO HAS FOUND THE NEAR POST! STEKELENBURG EXPECTED THE BALL TO GO THE OTHER WAY, AND THE BRAZILIAN HAS PUNISHED HIM!"
"That is outstanding technique. Liverpool have scored 3, and all 3 goals have come from different kinds of attacking play!"
The replay showed the foul first, then Azim's earlier pass into Lallana's run.
The camera followed the midfielder as he accelerated beyond the centre-backs before Van Dijk arrived late with the challenge.
Then came Coutinho's free-kick.
The ball curved around the wall and dipped into the near corner.
"Look at the deception," the commentator continued. "The goalkeeper takes a step towards the far side, expecting the more conventional curl. Coutinho sees that movement and sends the ball into the space he has left."
"And there is another important detail. Azim is standing beside the ball, making Stekelenburg consider the possibility of a different delivery. That moment of uncertainty matters."
The camera returned to Klopp, who was still applauding.
"After everything that happened with Lallana, Liverpool will be delighted to have converted the opportunity. The free-kick gives them a 3-goal advantage, but they will be hoping their midfielder is able to continue."
Azim was still celebrating with Coutinho when he noticed Lallana standing near the touchline.
The midfielder was leaning slightly towards the medical staff, his weight resting more heavily on his uninjured leg.
He clapped for Coutinho.
Then he attempted to take another step.
His expression tightened.
Azim's smile faded.
The free-kick had been perfect.
The scoreline was excellent.
But Lallana was still struggling.
Marriner signalled for the restart as the Liverpool players returned to their positions.
Before Southampton could take the kick-off, the fourth official raised the electronic board.
Liverpool's substitution.
#11 Roberto Firmino replaced #20 Adam Lallana.
Lallana looked towards the pitch, his mouth pressed into a thin line.
The decision had not come from a lack of effort or a desire to leave the match. He had wanted to continue, and he had been able to walk after the challenge. But the movement of his ankle remained uncomfortable, and Liverpool could not afford to allow a promising attacker to worsen an injury merely because the scoreline had become favourable.
Klopp approached him as he reached the touchline.
"How is it?"
"Sore," Lallana admitted. "I could probably keep going."
Klopp shook his head.
"Probably is not good enough. We have a long season."
Lallana looked back towards the pitch.
He had been enjoying the match before the challenge. He had helped Liverpool combine in the attacking third, and his movement had created the opportunity that led to Coutinho's free-kick.
Leaving the game was frustrating.
But the manager's decision was understandable.
"All right," Lallana said quietly.
Klopp placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Get it assessed properly. We need you fit."
Lallana nodded and continued towards the bench.
Azim approached him briefly.
"Sorry."
Lallana looked at him.
"For what?"
"The challenge. I should have seen it coming."
Lallana shook his head.
"Don't be stupid. The pass was perfect. He made the tackle."
"But you got hurt."
"And I would have been angry if you hadn't played that ball."
Azim looked at him.
Lallana smiled faintly.
"Now go and help us keep the lead."
Azim nodded.
The exchange eased something in his chest, though it did not entirely remove the discomfort of seeing his teammate leave the pitch.
He watched Lallana take his place on the bench, then turned towards Firmino.
The Brazilian was already moving into the attacking line.
"Where do you want me?" Firmino asked.
Azim pointed towards the space behind Southampton's midfield.
"Keep moving between the lines. They are watching me, so make them pay for it."
Firmino smiled.
"Gladly."
Milner approached them.
"Both of you, listen. We have 3 goals, but the half is not over. Don't start trying to score a 4th from every position. If the counter is there, take it. If it isn't, keep the ball."
Firmino nodded.
Azim looked towards Southampton's defensive line.
Van Dijk was standing near Fonte, his attention still fixed on #36.
The defender had followed him for almost the entire match.
Even after conceding 3 goals, he had not abandoned the responsibility of restricting his movement.
Azim understood why.
But now Southampton had a new problem.
Firmino could drop into the space behind the midfield, while Coutinho could move inside from the left. If Van Dijk continued following Azim, other players would find room to operate.
If Southampton changed their marking, Azim might finally receive the ball without immediate pressure.
The next 8 minutes would reveal which problem Koeman considered more dangerous.
Southampton restarted with greater urgency.
Fonte passed towards Clasie, who moved the ball across to Cédric. The full-back advanced towards the halfway line before playing into Tadić, who had moved inside to receive.
Liverpool's press began immediately.
Azim curved his run towards the centre-back, forcing Tadić to look towards the touchline rather than play directly into Davis.
Coutinho moved across.
Firmino closed Clasie.
Lucas stepped towards the space in front of the defence.
Tadić attempted a quick pass back towards Cédric, but Moreno stepped forward and intercepted it.
Liverpool recovered possession.
Moreno played towards Coutinho, who carried the ball forward before looking towards the penalty area.
Firmino moved between the lines.
Azim drifted towards the right channel, dragging Van Dijk with him.
Coutinho passed into Firmino.
The Brazilian controlled the ball and immediately turned towards goal.
Fonte stepped forward to challenge him, forcing Firmino to release a pass towards Milner.
Milner struck from outside the penalty area.
The ball hit Wanyama and deflected away.
Southampton cleared.
Azim began moving towards the halfway line.
The attack had not produced a goal, but it had already revealed the effect of Firmino's movement. The Brazilian could receive where Lallana had operated, giving Liverpool another player capable of linking midfield and attack.
Van Dijk was still following Azim.
When the forward moved towards the centre, the centre-back adjusted.
When Azim moved away, Van Dijk recovered.
The pattern was becoming predictable.
Predictability was useful.
Azim could exploit it.
The next few minutes belonged to Southampton's attempts to regain control.
Koeman moved closer to the touchline, shouting instructions towards his midfielders.
"Keep the ball! Use the width! Don't force it!"
Clasie received a pass from Fonte and attempted to play into Wanyama, but Azim was already moving across the passing lane.
The midfielder changed direction and played towards Cédric instead.
Cédric found Tadić.
The winger attempted to cut inside, but Moreno remained balanced and forced him towards the sideline.
Tadić passed backwards.
Liverpool's midfield advanced.
Azim curved his run towards Van Dijk, preventing the centre-back from playing directly into Clasie.
The Dutch defender took a touch and passed towards Fonte.
Azim changed direction immediately, accelerating towards the captain while keeping Wanyama within his cover shadow.
Fonte looked up.
The easy pass was gone.
He played backwards to Stekelenburg.
The goalkeeper cleared long towards Pellè.
Sakho challenged the striker in the air, and the ball dropped towards the centre circle.
Can reached it first.
He played a short pass towards Lucas, who immediately moved it into Firmino.
The Brazilian turned and attempted to find Azim in the channel.
Van Dijk intercepted the pass.
It was a good defensive action.
Azim had been about to receive the ball in a dangerous position, but the centre-back had read the angle and reached it before him.
Van Dijk cleared towards the touchline.
Azim turned and began pressing.
The disappointment did not last.
He had lost the opportunity to receive, but Liverpool were still close enough to contest the next pass. He accelerated towards the defender, forcing Van Dijk to release the ball before he could settle it.
The pass travelled towards Clasie.
Lucas moved across and intercepted it.
Liverpool recovered possession again.
Milner clapped his hands.
"Good pressure! Don't let them settle!"
Azim returned to his position, looking towards the defensive line.
Van Dijk had won the immediate duel.
But the press had allowed Liverpool to recover possession.
Football was rarely decided by a single action in isolation.
The important question was what happened next.
At 40 minutes, Liverpool came close to adding another goal.
Firmino received a pass from Lucas and moved into the space between Southampton's midfield and defence. Azim drifted towards the right side, taking Van Dijk with him.
The centre-back followed.
Fonte remained in the middle, attempting to protect the space behind his partner.
Firmino saw the movement and passed towards Moreno, who had advanced along the left.
The full-back took a touch and struck with his left foot.
The shot rose over the crossbar.
Moreno stopped and put his hands on his head.
"Ah!"
Firmino clapped.
"Good run!"
Moreno looked towards him.
"Should have kept it down."
Azim jogged past them.
"At least it reached the goal."
Moreno turned towards him.
"It didn't."
Azim laughed.
"Fair point."
The exchange brought a brief smile to the group, but Liverpool's players were already returning to their positions.
Southampton were still dangerous.
At 41 minutes, Mané collected a pass near the left flank and accelerated towards Clyne. The full-back attempted to guide him towards the touchline, but the winger used a sharp change of direction to move inside.
Can stepped across to provide cover.
Mané attempted to pass towards Pellè.
Sakho intercepted it.
The ball deflected towards Davis, who tried to recover possession near the edge of the penalty area.
Azim had dropped back towards midfield during the attack.
He accelerated towards Davis from the side, using his approach to block the passing lane towards Clasie.
Davis attempted a hurried pass anyway.
The ball travelled behind the intended receiver.
Lucas stepped across and collected it.
Liverpool recovered possession.
Azim turned and began a forward run.
Lucas looked towards him, but Van Dijk had already started moving into position.
The forward changed direction before the pass could be played, drawing the centre-back away from the central channel.
Lucas passed towards Firmino instead.
Firmino turned and carried the ball forward.
Liverpool had escaped the pressure.
Van Dijk was forced to recover.
The small sequence was beginning to establish a new pattern.
Azim could make Southampton's defenders follow him, then allow his teammates to exploit the space behind.
He did not need to receive the pass every time.
He needed to make the pass possible for somebody else.
Southampton continued searching for a goal before the interval.
Tadić moved inside from the right, drawing Moreno towards him before passing to Davis.
Davis received near the centre and attempted to turn towards goal.
Lucas moved across to block the route.
Davis played a short pass towards Pellè, who tried to shield the ball from Sakho.
The centre-back stayed tight.
Pellè attempted to spin away.
Sakho read the movement and poked the ball towards Can.
Can cleared towards the halfway line.
Azim had already begun pressing.
He approached Fonte from an angle that blocked the pass towards Clasie, forcing the defender to play towards Bertrand.
Coutinho moved across to close the full-back.
Bertrand attempted a return pass inside.
Azim changed direction and intercepted it.
The ball bounced away from his boot.
For a fraction of a second, Clasie was close enough to recover it.
Azim reacted immediately, stepping across the midfielder's path and using his body to protect the ball.
He did not attempt to turn.
He passed backwards towards Lucas, who moved it towards Milner.
Liverpool retained possession.
The sequence had not created a chance, but it had prevented Southampton from building another attack.
Azim was breathing harder now.
He could feel the accumulated work in his legs, and the movements required to escape Van Dijk's marking were becoming more demanding.
He needed to be careful.
If he continued sprinting at every opportunity, he would eventually arrive too late to recover after the press failed.
Milner approached as the ball moved towards the opposite flank.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
Milner looked at him.
"You've been running all afternoon."
"So have they."
Milner smiled faintly.
"That's not an answer."
Azim glanced towards Southampton's midfield.
"I can keep going."
"Then keep choosing the right moments. Don't waste your legs trying to prove something to Van Dijk."
Azim looked towards the centre-back.
The defender was still watching him.
Milner followed his gaze.
"He wants you to get frustrated. Don't give him what he wants."
Azim nodded.
It was advice he needed to hear.
Van Dijk had already followed him through several phases of play, denying him the room to turn. The challenge on Lallana had intensified Azim's anger, but the free-kick had provided Liverpool with another goal.
There was no reason to let the defender dictate his next decision.
The match was becoming easier for Liverpool because Azim was learning to use the attention against Southampton.
He needed to continue doing so.
The final minutes before half-time were tense.
Southampton continued to attack through Mané, whose pace remained their most dangerous weapon. The winger had repeatedly found space behind Liverpool's full-backs, and his movement forced Clyne to remain alert rather than advance freely.
At 43 minutes, Mané received a diagonal pass near the left side of Liverpool's penalty area.
Clyne approached from the inside, attempting to show him towards the touchline.
Mané shifted the ball onto his right foot and accelerated towards the centre.
Can moved across to cover.
Mané attempted to pass towards Pellè, but Sakho stepped forward and intercepted the ball.
The clearance travelled towards the centre circle.
Azim moved towards it.
Van Dijk was close behind.
The forward could feel the defender's presence, but instead of attempting to shield the ball and turn, he let it run across his body towards Lucas.
Van Dijk had prepared to challenge Azim.
The ball went elsewhere.
Lucas collected it and passed towards Milner, who immediately switched play towards Coutinho.
Liverpool advanced.
Azim began a diagonal run towards the penalty area.
Van Dijk followed.
Coutinho looked up and considered the pass, but Fonte had moved across to cover the central channel.
The Brazilian retained possession and played backwards.
Liverpool slowed the attack.
They did not need to force a shot.
They did not need to risk losing the ball in a dangerous area.
The 3-0 lead gave them the freedom to make a sensible decision.
Azim returned towards the centre circle, watching Southampton reorganise.
For the first time since the opening goal, he felt that he was no longer fighting his marker for the sake of the duel itself.
He was thinking about the space behind the marker.
That distinction mattered.
Van Dijk could follow him.
Wanyama could close him.
Fonte could protect the defensive line.
But the more attention Southampton devoted to #36, the more opportunities appeared for Liverpool's other attackers.
The forward needed to remain patient enough to recognise them.
Lucas received possession near the centre circle as the clock approached the end of normal time.
He looked towards Firmino, who had dropped into a central pocket.
Firmino turned and attempted to play a through ball towards the penalty area.
The pass was slightly overhit, and Stekelenburg advanced to collect it before Azim could reach the ball.
The goalkeeper caught it securely.
Azim stopped near the edge of the box and began moving back towards the halfway line.
Van Dijk followed.
The defender was breathing hard now, although he was still maintaining his position.
"You have been quiet for a while," Van Dijk said.
Azim glanced at him.
"You've been following me for the whole match. You should know why."
Van Dijk's expression tightened.
"You haven't done anything since the free-kick."
Azim gave him a calm smile.
"Then why haven't you stopped watching?"
For a moment, Van Dijk said nothing.
He turned away and began moving towards his defensive position.
Azim continued jogging back.
The remark had not been particularly clever, but it had achieved its purpose. Van Dijk had spent so much of the match concentrating on restricting him that even a brief exchange of words had become part of the contest.
Azim needed to ensure that he was the one deciding when that contest mattered.
Southampton made 1 final attempt to find a goal before half-time.
Stekelenburg distributed towards Fonte, who played a short pass into Clasie.
The midfielder turned away from Azim and found Davis.
Davis received with his body facing Liverpool's goal.
Lucas moved towards him.
Davis passed towards Mané, who had begun a diagonal run behind Clyne.
The winger accelerated into the left channel.
Clyne turned and chased.
Skrtel moved across to cover the space behind the full-back, while Sakho stayed close to Pellè.
Mané reached the ball near the edge of the penalty area and attempted to cut inside.
Clyne recovered enough to put pressure on him.
Mané shifted the ball onto his right foot and struck towards goal.
Sakho stepped across.
The shot struck the defender's leg and deflected away from the centre of the box.
Can collected the loose ball.
"Clear it!" Milner shouted.
Can sent it towards the halfway line.
Azim had already begun moving into position to contest the next pass.
Southampton attempted to recover possession, but Lucas stepped across and collected the second ball before Clasie could reach it.
Liverpool retained possession.
The attack was over.
Mané looked towards Davis, frustration visible in his expression.
"Earlier!"
Davis raised his hands.
"You were covered!"
Mané shook his head and turned away.
The winger had been Southampton's most consistent source of danger, but Liverpool's defenders had managed to prevent his runs from becoming clear chances.
Azim looked towards Clyne.
The full-back nodded.
"Good recovery."
Clyne returned the gesture.
Azim began moving forward again.
The whistle for half-time came after the allotted stoppage time.
Liverpool walked towards the tunnel with a 3-0 lead.
The crowd was still singing, and the players were greeted with applause as they crossed the touchline. Klopp stood near the entrance to the tunnel, clapping his hands and speaking briefly to Milner as the captain approached.
"Good half," Klopp said. "But we are not finished."
Milner nodded.
"We know."
Azim walked behind them.
His shirt was damp with sweat, and the muscles in his legs felt heavy after the repeated changes of direction. He had scored twice, helped create Coutinho's free-kick and contributed to several defensive recoveries.
But what stayed with him was not the scoreboard.
It was the way Van Dijk had followed him through the match.
The defender had denied him space, blocked passing lanes and forced him to reconsider his movements. At times, Azim had become frustrated enough to try to beat him simply because he wanted to prove he could.
That frustration had nearly cost him control of the contest.
The breakthrough had come when he stopped trying to force a turn and used a first-time pass to send Lallana into the channel.
The pass had beaten the marker.
The resulting foul had given Liverpool a free-kick.
Coutinho had scored.
Azim looked towards the pitch one last time.
He had not scored every goal.
He had not won every duel.
And he had not escaped every challenge.
But he was beginning to understand how to make the opposition's attention work for him.
Van Dijk had followed him everywhere because Southampton feared what might happen if they gave him space.
Now the defenders would have to decide whether they could continue doing so without leaving room for Firmino, Coutinho and Milner to exploit.
The 2nd half would bring another set of problems.
For the moment, Liverpool had earned the right to walk into the dressing room with the advantage firmly in their hands.
Behind them, the Kop continued to sing.
And somewhere in the crowd, 44,171 people were beginning to believe that this might finally become the kind of afternoon they had been waiting for.