The race for a top-four finish continues to intensify at the summit of the Premier League table, but Sadio Mane isn't feeling any pressure despite the compact nature of the standings.

The Reds currently sit fourth, five points behind Manchester United in second, one adrift of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with Chelsea below them by the same margin.

Nevertheless, Mane remains confident about Jürgen Klopp’s side’s prospects of sealing a second successive top-four berth come the conclusion of the campaign as he outlined the importance of not looking too far down the line.

He told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood: “When you take it game by game, I think there’s less pressure.

“For the moment, you have to focus on each game individually and try to win. I think it’s quite easy to focus game by game – and that’s what we’ll do.”

Liverpool’s next challenge comes on Sunday in the shape of a trip to St Mary’s to take on a resurgent Southampton.

The Saints are unbeaten in their last four outings in the Premier League and Mane is aware of the threat his former club will pose to the Reds’ hopes of collecting three valuable points.

However, his conviction in his own team’s abilities means he is confident they’ll achieve their aim of securing a win.

“It’s a very important game – but I think every single game is going to be very important for us until the end of the season,” said the forward.

“Southampton play football and are well organised, so it will be tough, as everyone knows, but we can beat any team in the league, so we will go there to try and win the game.

“We know how the Premier League is – the team who are last can beat the team who are first. We know how football is, but we also know our quality and how we can play. That’s the most important thing – we’re not thinking about what they are doing.

“We only focus on ourselves, try to work hard in training and then give our best on game day. This is what is important for us.”

For Mane, Sunday will mark his second return to St Mary’s as a Liverpool player after sealing his transfer to Anfield in the summer of 2016.

The 25-year-old spent two seasons with Southampton, making more than 60 appearances, before completing a deal to join the Reds.

“I always look forward to playing against my ex-club,” he reflected. “They’ve had a few difficult weeks, but they’re still Southampton – a very good team. But we are also very good, so it’ll be a good game for both teams and hopefully we can get the win.

“I have good memories. It is a great club and the fans are amazing. The people around the club are very nice and I like the city as well. They are good memories and I was very happy to play for Southampton.

“But I am not thinking about going back too much – the only thinking I am doing is about trying to give my best and trying to win the game.”