Mark Hughes was in a sombre mood when discussing his Southampton team’s 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Former Stoke City manager, Hughes, was disappointed at how Liverpool had been gifted an early lead through a clumsy own goal. Joel Matip added a second goal from a set-piece header before Mo Salah made it 3-0 to The Reds just before the break.
“We conceded too readily in the first half, clearly you don’t want to do that against a very good Liverpool team at home,” Hughes told BBC’s MOTD.
“We were guilty of not stopping them creating moments in the first half. The second half was damage limitation. The guys were better in terms of shape, stopped some good attacks and got a clean sheet in the second half.
“We won’t be the first team and we won’t be the last that this has happened to. I’m pleased we were a little more controlled in the second half. We will take that positive but overall not a good day for us.
When quizzed about Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes, Hughes believes Klopp’s men might just have what it takes to go the full distance, this season. However, Hughes made it clear that he is only interested in what his Southampton team can achieve between now and next May.
“Liverpool can win it and we have great respect for what they can do. They have got a lot of energy, pace, technical ability and hunger to go that extra step this season. But I’m more concerned with our season.”