Hasenhüttl encouraged by performances against top six
Facing title-chasing Liverpool at St Mary’s on Tuesday night, manager Ralph Hasenhüttl is looking for his side to add another notable result to their resume against the Premier League’s pace setters.
Currently without a win in their last four league outings, the Southampton boss is drawing optimism from the 11 points collected against the top six so far in 2021/22.
Claiming victories over Arsenal and Tottenham, Saints emerged unbeaten from their trysts with Man City and Man United, as well as registering a further draw against Spurs.
Looking to cause another twist in this season’s title race, Hasenhüttl is clear on how another positive result can be achieved.
“I think we have shown in the past that we can be committed in these games,” he said. “When I remember these games this season at home against the big teams, I remember the Tottenham game where we were one man down. We did a fantastic job against Arsenal. We have one [draw] against Man City. We have drawn against Man United.
“So we have shown against the top teams that we can, together, achieve something very big. And this is what we need on Tuesday evening.”
Facing a Reds team fresh from claiming the FA Cup title on Saturday, the Saints boss is clear on what his side will be up against under the lights in SO14.
“They [the players] know how tough it is against the Champions League finalists. But it’s our Champions League final, if you want.
“We are going for this with everything we have. And the team that is on the pitch is the team that will do everything to make them [the fans] proud.
“The time you have on the ball will not be that high, I think. We know this, but you also have to play football in the right moments or otherwise you are struggling for defending.
“So, play in the spaces you can play football and finally, be aware of the qualities they have.”
