Blog: The signs are certainly there under Klopp

Jürgen wanted them, we got them, and we beat them. Thursday nights aren't so bad, are they?

Liverpool have sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, following a 3-1 aggregate win over arch-rivals Manchester United. Our 2-0 first leg win over the Red Devils last week was not only something to build on and protect, but as comprehensive a victory - and as dominant a performance - as they come. All we'd needed to do this Thursday was finish the job.

And my, did we do so. While United huffed, puffed and took the lead through an early penalty, Klopp's Reds were not taken by the occasion or put off by the goal. Instead, our heroes lapped up the atmosphere, brushed themselves off and played their natural game. Our reaction was a reflection on how far our manager has taken this team since his arrival in October.

We've every right to feel as though we deserved even better, too. After missing a number of chances, Philippe Coutinho popped up with one of the most ingenious individual goals you'll see this season. He breezed past his opponent down the left and outfoxed one of the best goalkeepers in the world with the most audacious dinked finish on the stroke of half-time.

That was enough to stunt United's momentum, and it was Liverpool's second half. We might not have been able to complete back-to-back victories in both legs, but the bigger picture was all that mattered going in, and it's all that matters now. There's nothing quite like 'getting one over' on your rivals, but to do it in such fashion is incredibly sweet.

United were well and truly second best, and can have no complaints. But it's onwards and upwards for us, and there's no reason to believe we can't win the Europa League.

The quarter-finals kick off in the first week of April with a tough ask against Borussia Dortmund, though until then it's up to us to harness our confidence into positive results in the Premier League. Having won our last three league games over Aston Villa, Manchester City and Crystal Palace, we'll have our tails up for the visit to Southampton this afternoon.

We're currently level on points with Ronald Koeman's side going into the clash on the south coast. But this provides us with an opportunity to take a big step towards the Premier League's top four and another chance to boost morale going into the international break.

Southampton have been in decent form themselves, but this will not be Jürgen Klopp's first visit to St Mary's. In the Capital One Cup back in December - en route to Wembley - the Reds hit Saints for six in one of our strongest performances under his tutelage. There's a growing number of contenders on that list as time passes, but our showing that night may just top the lot.

And we're even able to take strength from our recent Premier League record at St Mary's; Liverpool have won on their last two league visits and we're unbeaten in our last five clashes with the Saints. Given our current vein of form, there's no reason to think the trend can't continue.

It's taken some time, but the signs are there. Liverpool are a force to be reckoned with, and we'll be better off next term once our manager can work his summer magic. But until then, it's about retaining momentum, building a platform and finishing this campaign in as strong a fashion as possible.

We're certainly not doing too badly at the moment.

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