Boss: We go to St Mary's with belief
Liverpool may trail Southampton by four points in the Barclays Premier League table, but Brendan Rodgers insists his side can head to St Mary's this weekend with confidence of earning a win.
The Reds have been beaten only once in their past 17 fixtures in all competitions and have not suffered a reversal in league football since the middle of December.
Fresh from securing a slender advantage in their Europa League tie against Besiktas, Rodgers' charges are set for a journey to the home of the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
Ronald Koeman's team currently hold fourth place in the standings as the race for a Champions League qualification berth tightens ever more with each passing week.
"The games are now being ticked off, and with 13 games to go it would be a big step for us to get the result," the Liverpool manager said at his pre-match briefing today.
"We respect Southampton and the work that they have done this year. But we know that we have got the quality and confidence at the moment to go there and get a result.
"If we can get a victory and go within a point, it probably takes us to where we thought it would be, edging our way towards [the top four] after a really difficult start. That's what we'll continue to do, just step by step."
Recent form is on the Reds' side rather than Southampton's. On the opening day of the campaign, Rodgers' charges fought hard to claim victory at Anfield by a 2-1 scoreline.
Around this time last year, meanwhile, they enjoyed a hugely fruitful trip south, performing strongly and returning to Merseyside with a handsome 3-0 result.
On the stakes for this latest encounter, the Northern Irishman explained to reporters: "It would be important. It's a very big game for both teams.
"We obviously went there needing a victory last year and played very, very well. They have been terrific this season; Ronald Koeman has come in and done an excellent job there.
"Everyone looked at the players they were losing in the summer, but they have kept the momentum going for the last five seasons really.
"From when they got relegated to League One, they have worked their way back up again, into the Championship and through into the Premier League.
"They have looked a really established team and this year they have continued to work well. They have found themselves in the top four and deservedly so, because they have played very well and have got some outstanding players.
"We know it's going to be a tough game, but we know that we have the tools to go to any team and win and play well."
Asked for a squad fitness update, the boss said: "Steven [Gerrard] will still be out. Brad Jones, Lucas Leiva and Jon Flanagan are still working towards fitness. Jose Enrique is still out as well."