Ronald Koeman rates Liverpool clash as a 'must-win game'

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has said that he is expecting Liverpool to be full of confidence after their progress in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Liverpool made it through to the quarter-finals of the competition with a 3-1 aggregate success over Manchester United, but the Dutchman has insisted that the match on Sunday afternoon is a 'must-win fixture' for his side as they target a top-six place.

The Saints are level on points with Jurgen Klopp's team in the Premier League table, and failure to gain a win at St Mary's could leave the club cut adrift from the teams above them.

The 52-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I expect a difficult one. They have a really strong team, a lot of options and they've had two really good results against Manchester United in the Europa League.

"It was a must-win game for us against Stoke and it is the same again this weekend."

In the League Cup earlier this season, Liverpool beat Southampton by a 6-1 scoreline on the south coast.