Hasenhuttl expects Saints ‘reaction’ against Reds

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Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl has called for his team to issue an emphatic response against Liverpool after their opening-day disappointment.

The Saints were beaten 3-0 Burnley at Turf Moor after being overwhelmed over the second half.

This, of course, will be a totally different kind of game.

And Hasenhuttl has backed his team to take points off the title contenders, provided their organisation and decision-making are on point.

“Like always against these big teams, we must not give them too many chances, because they have so much quality they don’t need a lot to score,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

“And, finally, to focus on the moments when we have the ball, and when we win the ball what we do there, and know that we also have the quality to score against Liverpool.

“We showed that last season, so it’s about giving a really, really good performance. A good, committed performance, defensively well-organised and offensively with the right decisions in the right moments.”

When the two teams last met in April, Southampton were heading for an impressive point, having taken the lead nine minutes in courtesy of Shane Long.

But title-chasing Liverpool dug deep in the closing stages and would ultimately run out 3-1 victors thanks to Mohamed Salah’s dazzling solo effort and Jordan Henderson’s decisive strike.

Hasenhuttl admits the Reds edged the mental battle on that occasion, and demanded that his side prove to be more resolute.

“For 80 minutes it was a good example, but finally you see it’s not enough,” he conceded.

“Against these teams you must be convinced that you can do it. Nearly surprising them is not enough.

“When you want to surprise them you must be very clinical when you have a chance. Last season we had 80 very good minutes against this team, but then they showed us in the last ten minutes what you can win with mentality.

“In this part I think we must develop ourselves from last week. That was the biggest weakness last weekend, and on Saturday I want to see a reaction from the team that is really believing in what they are doing and stay on the track until the last minute, and if we are like that then we are not so easy to beat.”

Indeed, the home side caused plenty of problems a few months ago and we might be in for more of the same with the pace of Nathan Redmond and Che Adams up against our weary defence.

Our mental fortitude, which Hasenhuttl noted, will have to be on show once again as we look to grind out the victory by whatever means.

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