The Saints take a narrow 1-0 lead to Liverpool on Wednesday night in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
Southampton manager Claude Puel wants his side to show the same confidence from their 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday, as they travel to Anfield on Wednesday in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.
The Saints boss told the club’s official website he wants his men to show the same quality they did against The Foxes at the weekend, as the hosts recorded a convincing 3-0 win at St. Marys’.
Southampton’s Dusan Tadic scores their third goal from the penalty spot
Holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg a fortnight ago, Puel’s side make the trip to Liverpool looking to reach their first major final since 2003.
Nathan Redmond’s goal was decisive on the south coast, but Southampton’s lead could have been a more definitive one.
Despite the missed opportunity however, Puel believes Southampton’s first Premier League win in a month is vital ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
Puel told southamptonfc.com: “I think it was important to finish that bad run of four losses and it was important for the confidence.
Southampton’s Nathan Redmond celebrates scoring their first goal as Liverpool’s Loris Karius appeals
“I think against Leicester, we played with confidence and quality. That’s not easy after four losses, and I am happy about this. It’s important all the squad keep this good attitude, with good confidence, and I think it was a good thing and a good job against Leicester.”
Despite progressing to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup where they will face Arsenal this weekend, The Saints have struggled with form in the top-flight since Christmas.
Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson scores their third goal
Having lost four games since late December at home to Tottenham Hotspur and West Brom, coupled with away defeats to Everton and Burnley, Sunday’s win was a long-overdue fillip to the struggling Saints.
Ahead of what is set to be an electric atmosphere under the lights at Anfield, Claude Puel believes his side have the focus to come out on top, as The Reds look to react to their own shock defeat to Swansea City on Saturday.
“We know Liverpool”, says Puel. “They lost against Swansea at home, and I am sure they will want to react against us, but it’s important to keep all of our focus about our play.
“We know they are fantastic, a great team, with great players, but you saw in the first leg we have the ability to produce a strong game against them. It will be important to make a strong game – a perfect game – I think.”
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