Southampton boss Russell Martin bemoaned the “rubbish” goal that ended hopes of an FA Cup shock at Liverpool as he expressed pride in his team’s “amazing” performance.
A first-half strike from debutant Lewis Koumas was added to after the break by a brace from fellow teenager Jayden Danns from the bench as the Reds won their fifth-round tie 3-0 at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Southampton, chasing promotion from the Championship, had also fielded a much-changed side and fashioned a number of chances only to be thwarted by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
And Martin said: “I don’t think 3-0 was a reflection of the game, really. We should have been 1-0 or 2-0 up before they were even close to our goal. It was an incredible performance and the difference was the quality of the finishing and their goalkeeper made some really good saves.
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“We were getting frustrated as four or five big chances had come and to miss them isn’t normal. The players were annoyed the game got away from them, and the second goal killed it really. It was a rubbish goal from our point of view as we are normally clean on the ball.
“If we are going to lose then let’s be the team we want to be, the lads were brave and showed intensity, which is what you need to beat Liverpool’s press. I’m really happy with them. I was really happy watching my team and I have a lot of pride and gratitude but frustration at the end result.
“If you do that here you can do that anywhere. If we play with this courage, intensity and love for each other than it’s going to be a really good end to the season.”
Martin added: “The biggest motivation the players have is to try to play in the Premier League and come to places like this every single week and showcase how we play. We don’t change.
“So much of what we do is about feeling, feeling what we need in the game at a particular time. Tonight they’d have felt so many good moments.
“To play like we did with the ball at Anfield was amazing. Hopefully it has whetted their appetite a bit. That has to be their motivation.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
