Southampton manager Claude Puel was delighted to take a point from the Saints' Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday, watching his players become only the third team to stop the Reds from finding the net so far this season in the 0-0 St Mary's draw.
Southampton entered the match with a clear game plan to limit what the previously free-scoring Liverpool could do on a rain-soaked Hampshire afternoon and they stuck to it well. Centre-back pairJose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk were particularly good.
"I think it's a good performance from my players and a good point, because it was a very difficult game," Puel explained to the club's official website after the final whistle.
We spoke to a satisfied Claude Puel after #SaintsFC's 0-0 draw with #LFC: https://t.co/ulvYpFznU0
"There was a high level on the pitch, with a good rhythm and it was very difficult to play against this team, because when they lose the ball they have a very good recovery, with a good transition," he said of the difficulty of facing a side like Liverpool.
Liverpool were largely limited to half chances and one fine save from Fraser Forster to keep out Sadio Mane, who wasreturning to St Mary's for the first time since his summer departure.
Unfortunately for Southampton, defending so resiliently cost them a chance to really attack and create any chances of their own. As such, a wide Charlie Austin header was their only clear sight of goal and Liverpool stopper Loris Karius didn't face a single shot on target.
#SaintsFC's @FraserForster gives his verdict after keeping a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw against #LFC at St Mary's: https://t.co/shTYbjVR3k
"It was very difficult to develop our game against this team, because they are strong and physical, and when they have the ball it's very difficult to defend," Puel said.
"But with good discipline and organisation we took this point without conceding, and it's a good performance from all the players."
The result means Puel's Southampton remain in 10th place in the table, although either Burnley or West Brom will leapfrog them on Monday night depending on the result between the pair.
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