Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed the attitude shown by his players in their 3-1 victory over Liverpool.

The club took a giant step towards Premier League safety with a magnificent triumph against the Reds.

Saints’ performance was reminiscent of the display they produced in their destruction of Manchester City last month.

The win – the second of Pochettino’s St Mary’s reign – ended a three-match winless streak. “Against the small teams we weren’t really as lucky as we were today, or as effective, but it just goes to show that football is based on your mental attitude in every single game you play,” said the Saints boss.

“We have the right mentality and potential and have to make sure that in every single game we play, not just these two games, that we have the same hunger and mentality to always go out for the win.”

Pochettino added: “There were many positive aspects, especially seeing how brave my team was going head-to-head against them and really pushing forward.

“We did not allow them to play at any given moment and when we had the ball we really tried to pursue our philosophy of football.”

Pochettino is satisfied with the progress the players have made during his first two months in charge, but insists there is still much work to do.

“OveralI in these eight games I’ve been managing I think we’ve had the same kind of trajectory,” he said.

“In the other games we have played well but just haven’t got the victory.”

Pochettino added: “Our work is based on the mental preparation, physical and tactical preparation and we have a lot to do in terms of pushing those boundaries and learning even more how to prepare in those three aspects.

“We have the obligation to treat my players not as footballers but first and foremost as people.

“First of all, individually, they need to be in the right state of mind so as a collective they can act in the right state of mind and play together as a team.”