Goalscorer Raheem Sterling insisted Liverpool are 'showing what we can do' after a 2-0 win at Southampton altered the landscape of the race for Champions League qualification.

The 20-year-old pounced in the second half when a loose ball skewed out inside Saints territory and calmly sent a side-footer through the bodies and past the goalkeeper to double the lead.

Earlier, with a mere three minutes played, Philippe Coutinho had provided a platform for the victory by lashing an unstoppable, swerving blast from 25 yards into the top corner off the crossbar.

Brendan Rodgers' team are now unbeaten for 10 games in the Barclays Premier League since mid-December and trail third place in the standings by only three points following the result.

Sterling told the Liverpool Echo: "It's a great win for us. We knew we had to come here and do the job and we did that. The boys defended really well and we took our chances when they came.

"It's always good to get on the scoresheet and it was especially pleasing that it was the goal that killed the game off.

"We knew we were top four material from the start of the season. Obviously it didn't go as planned at the start but now we're showing what we can do.

"Credit to the boys, we just need to keep performing and keep fighting and then we'll definitely get to where we want to be. All the boys are really up for it. Everyone is fighting hard for the team and defending with their lives."

Coutinho caught everybody on the pitch, and those watching from the stands, by surprise when he decided to shoot from long range in the fledgling moments of the St Mary's encounter.

Not least Sterling, who was keen for a pass from his Brazilian colleague but ultimately had to echo the chorus of voices hailing the outstanding ambition and technique of Liverpool's No.10.

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The forward said: "It was a great strike from Philippe. When he picked the ball up, he had nothing else on his mind. I was on and I was crying out for a pass, but credit to him. It was a great finish.

"Not many players in the world can score a goal like that. Phil has got a great eye for a pass but you can see he's adding more goals to his game, which is great to see."

While the Reds' attackers plundered the goals at one end, Simon Mignolet again ensured there were none shipped at the other with his seventh clean sheet in 2015.

Another shut-out on the road racked up a fifth successive clean sheet away from home in the league - the first time the side has sealed such a feat for 30 years.

Sterling said: "It's huge credit to Simon because he's been magnificent. He made some great saves and commanded his box well. Hopefully he can continue that form and we can keep winning games."