Hasenhüttl flags mentality as key to success at Anfield
After last week's dogged performance with 10-men earned Southampton a share of the spoils against Leicester, Ralph Hasenhüttl is demanding more of the same mentality from his players ahead of the trip to Liverpool this Saturday.
Playing more than 80 minutes with a man less – although Jannik Vestergaard’s dismissal has since been rescinded following an appeal – the Saints boss is looking for his side to display more of the characteristics shown at St Mary’s last Friday and rekindle the performance that saw Saints claim a noteworthy 1-0 win over the Reds in the reverse fixture back in January.
“We expect this in every game, not only now,” commented Hasenhüttl on his side’s mentality.
“We have managed it this season – not always – but we have to manage it now and for the rest of the season, and I think the weekend is very much about mentality and very much about committed defending.
“This is what we did in the first game against Liverpool this season very well and we have to do it again, and therefore we have a chance to take something there.
“The defensive work [in the 1-0 win against Liverpool] was one of our best this season. A cleansheet against them is always fantastic with the quality they have.
“We found a good way of defending them in and around the box and also high up the pitch we had some good ball wins and steals, especially in the first half.
“With the early goal, everything was perfect for us and you have to have a very good game against them or it is not so easy.
Hasenhüttl added: “They are still fighting for the Champions League – they have a small chance to go there still – so they have to win against us and we are playing to climb a few positions, so we must be as motivated as they are.”
