Southampton inflict first loss on Liverpool in 1-0 Premier league match
Southampton defender Dejan Lovren ends unbeaten run for Liverpool who were hoping for fourth victory to extend their lead on rivals
Liverpool were without injured playmaker Philippe Coutinho, sidelined by a shoulder problem, but they came close to taking the lead in the first half at Anfield when visiting goalkeeper Artur Boruc produced a full-stretch save to keep out a Steven Gerrard free-kick.
Daniel Sturridge then had a penalty appeal turned down after tangling with Dejan Lovren, and it was Lovren who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a back-post header from a left-wing corner.
Only a fine triple save from Simon Mignolet prevented Southampton from adding to their lead, but Lovren's goal proved enough to inflict a first league defeat on Liverpool since a 3-1 loss to the same side last March.
"We are bitterly disappointed and it was one of them days," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side visit Manchester United in the League Cup on Wednesday.
"We were not so good with the ball and, technically, nowhere near the level we have been at. The players have been excellent for these last few months and today was an off day."
On his Everton debut, Romelu Lukaku scored the winning goal at West Ham United, but admitted afterwards that he could not remember anything about it.