Liverpool completed a professional victory away at Southampton to complete a league double over the side who look increasingly in trouble at the bottom of the league.
20 minutes before kick off Southampton slipped into the relegation zone as Newcastle completed a victory over Manchester United.
And 6 minutes into this game Firmino had compounded their problems with his 20th goal in all competitions this season for the reds.
Just before half time, Mo Salah added his 29th (22 in the league) to give the reds a slightly flattering 2-0 half time lead.
The result means the reds end the weekend back in 3rd place but they have now narrowed the gap to 2nd placed Man United to just 2 points.
Teams
There were three changes for the reds starting line up. Lovren, Henderson and Milner moved to the bench - and in came Matip, Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Emre Can was handed the captains armband and pre-match Klopp said that he was just giving Henderson a rest - no injury concerns.
Of course Emre Can is suspended for the midweek Champions League game so clearly that was factored into the decision.
Virgil van Dijk was making his first return to his former club since last months £75M transfer to Anfield.
Firmino hits 20
Enjoying his best return since joining Liverpool, Roberto Firmino's 6th minute goal made it 20 in all competitions this season. Mo Salah provided the assist but it stemmed from a quick release by Loris Karius.
Southampton had actually just had a corner but the reds moved the ball quickly from the goalkeeper and the pace of the side meant that Firmino had a relatively simple dispatch to put the reds ahead.
WATCH: Hoedt horribly misjudges a ball forward from midfield and Salah squares to Firmino, who beats McCarthy one-on-one with ease!
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Despite their predicament, Southampton worked hard to look for an equaliser. They were getting plenty of crosses from the wings but Karius denied a header from new signing Guido Carrillo, and then tipped over from James Ward Prowse seconds later.
His spell in the Liverpool goal seems to be giving him a lot of confidence and he was very good throughout the game today.
As it happened: Saints 0-2 LFC
Firmino had a penalty appeal waved away in the half, but just before half time he played a 1-2 with Salah and the Egyptian King scored his 29th goal of the season with aplomb.
The second half was a rather sterile affair but that's not to say the reds didn't have opportunities to add further goals. Sadio Mane was often involved in the quick counter attacks but his shooting throughout the game left a lot to be desired.
There was some late trolling from Jurgen Klopp who brought on both Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren in the final 10 minutes - giving all 5 former Southampton players a run out in their orange Liverpool kits.
This had the potential to be a banana skin, and following so shortly after Man United's result the reds can look back at the weekend with satisfaction.
Champions League action returns on Wednesday. Liverpool travel to FC Porto.
