Southampton striker Paul Onuachu faces assessment following an injury sustained during the club’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool at St Mary’s Stadium. The Nigerian forward, who made his first league start in 18 months, was forced off early in the second half after a strong performance that had troubled Liverpool’s defense.
Manager Russell Martin confirmed the need for further evaluation but expressed cautious optimism about Onuachu’s condition.
Paul was great today, so hopefully it’s not too serious. He said it feels okay at the moment, so we’ll assess that, Martin stated after the match.
Onuachu had been one of several changes to the starting lineup following the international break, with Ryan Manning, Joe Aribo, and Cameron Archer making way for Ryan Fraser, Dom Ballard, and Onuachu.
The forward’s physicality and intelligent hold-up play gave Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté significant difficulties, with the French defender eventually booked for a foul on Onuachu.
The Nigerian striker showcased his strength and quick feet, holding off challenges and creating opportunities for Southampton.
However, his promising outing was cut short in the 51st minute when he suffered an injury following a foul by Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
Onuachu received a standing ovation from the home crowd as he left the pitch, replaced by Lesley Ugochukwu, with Dom Ballard moving up to support Adam Armstrong in attack.
The loss of Onuachu was a setback for the Saints, who pushed Liverpool throughout the contest.
Despite their efforts, goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah ultimately sealed victory for the visitors.
Southampton, however, showed resilience, with standout performances from several players, hinting at their determination to climb the league table.
For Onuachu, this match was an opportunity to re-establish himself in Southampton’s plans after a prolonged period out of the starting lineup.
The club will now await the results of his assessment, hoping for positive news as they look to build on the encouraging signs shown against the league leaders.
Southampton’s next fixtures will likely test their depth, but Martin will hope Onuachu can recover swiftly and continue to contribute as the season progresses.
