Puel says Southampton are motivated to play the big teams

Southampton boss Claude Puel believes his side could be better off playing against top six sides in the coming days as he battles to keep his job at St Mary’s.

A section of the Southampton fans turned on Puel during the goalless draw with Hull and that put more pressure on the Saints manager.

Southampton travel to Liverpool on Sunday and then host Arsenal next week and Puel is looking forward to facing the bigger teams.

Picture caption: Getty Images

He said: “I think to play against these teams is natural and perhaps is more motivation.

“I am sure we can play a good game against Liverpool and other good teams.

“After this game (Hull) it is important to have a good reaction and a good answer.

“We are not happy after this game and it is important to have the good reaction.

“We can lose a game but with a good feeling we play good football and did all our possibilities and it was not enough to win this game.

“We need to accept and correct this.”

Southampton beat both Liverpool and Arsenal on the way to this season’s EFL Cup final – but in the league their record against the top teams is to seven defeats in nine matches.