Coutinho and Sterling lift Liverpool

Raheem Sterling, centre, found the back of the net for Liverpool in a 2-0 win over Southampton. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

Philippe Coutinho scored a magnificent goal as Liverpool overcame Southampton 2-0 in a controversial game on Sunday to close to within two points of the Premier League's top four.

Coutinho opened the scoring with a stunning 30-yard effort in the third minute and Raheem Sterling added a second goal towards the end, but it was the performance of referee Kevin Friend that was to prove the biggest talking point on a cold, squally evening at St Mary’s.

The official turned down two strong penalty appeals from Southampton and was barracked by their supporters throughout, as Ronald Koeman’s side went a third home game without finding the net.

The result prevented Southampton from overtaking fourth-place Manchester United, who they trail by a point, and Liverpool are now just a point further back after extending their unbeaten run to 10 league games.

Brendan Rodgers’s in-form side are within touching distance of the Champions League berths ahead of a pivotal week that sees them take a 1-0 lead to Besiktas in the Europa League before welcoming champions Manchester City to Anfield next weekend.

Earlier, Harry Kane rescued a point for Tottenham by scoring with the last kick of the game for a 2-2 draw against fierce London rivals West Ham. The in-form striker struck in the sixth minute of injury time, scoring from the rebound after having his penalty saved by West Ham goalkeeper Adrian. It was Kane’s 12th goal in 11 league games.

The penalty was contentious with Kane appearing to go down easily from Alex Song’s challenge. Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful header past Tottenham keeper Hugo Loris.

Diafra Sakho doubled the lead midway through the second half, guiding home Mark Noble’s cross from a tight angle.

Tottenham left back Danny Rose kept the game alive, scoring in the 80th minute after mis-hitting the ball down into the ground, only for the ball to loop over Adrian. Kane then equalised with the match’s final kick.

Spurs have now rescued 16 points from losing positions this season.

The result frustrated West Ham manager Sam Allardyce whose team has acquired a habit of giving away winning positions.

“We were doing most things right, but there was more luck than talent that got Tottenham the point today,” Allardyce said.

Follow us on twitter at @NatSportlUAE