Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was surprised to learn that his team had enjoyed 65 per cent of the possession in Saturday's goalless draw at St Mary's, which most people would consider impressive for an away side. “It felt absolutely more,” he said. “My feeling was 70-something. But we have no problem with this, that's how it is.”

Klopp is relaxed about the probability that more teams will emulate the example of Southampton, who approached the visit of his Premier League leaders and top scorers as if they were playing on Merseyside, with most of their team behind the ball for most of the 94 minutes. After Jose Mourinho sent Manchester United out at Anfield last month to frustrate rather than try to win, this was one more backhanded compliment to the team the German has built.

He can understand why even clubs with European ambitions, such as Southampton, are wary of the attacking forces at his disposal. Although without the injured Adam Lallana, he was still able to field Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and former Saint Sadio Mane, with Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi coming off the bench. Despite Southampton's approach, Klopp's men prised apart the red-and-white wall on enough occasions to have won comfortably, and he was happy with the performance and “not over the moon but completely fine” with the result.

“We watched them in other games and they were more offensive but it's not about them having respect [for us] or something,” the German said. “Everybody wants to win. If we play this kind of football then it would be crazy to give us space, so why should they do so? That's what we have to work on and it's our job to do it.

“There is nothing to moan about. You can’t ask them: 'Come on, give us a little more space' or something. Before the season we had to work on this and until now that is what I meant when I say we are happy with the performance. Because again we did well, we came through. It isn’t a game where you have 20 chances, we had four or five. That is more than enough especially how big those chances were.

“We weren't that good against United. If we had played like today against them, it's not that we could have won, but we would have had more chances. A lot of teams played against us like this and we won. We cannot change what they do. We are sure to be stopped sometimes unfortunately but the only thing we have to make sure is that it's not because of us. Even when it doesn't work, stay in the game, don't let them attack.”

Liverpool January transfer targets Show all 7 1 /7 Liverpool January transfer targets Liverpool January transfer targets Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) The Merseyside club failed with an £11m bid for the 18-year-old striker in the summer, but may try their hand at signing him again this January. Pulisic is one of Europe's most highly-rated teenagers, having already made his international debut for the United States. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) It would not be a transfer window without Liverpool being linked with somebody from Southampton. This time it's Van Dijk, who has emerged as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves since arriving on the south coast from Celtic. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen to strengthen his defence and the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back would be a good addition for the Reds. The German Tah is only 20 years of age but has impressed for both club and country this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes) The left-midfielder’s deal at Rennes expires at the end of the season and so he will be free to sign a pre-contract in January. A strong dribbler of the ball, Ntep has been made two appearances for France. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Seeing as Roberto Firmino is not a natural no. 9 and Daniel Sturridge has fallen out of favour, Liverpool have been linked with several strikers including French forward Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker is quick, explosive and has already reached double figures this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) The Athletic Bilbao youngster signed a new contract in January with a release clause of €50m, but the rumours linking him with Anfield have not died down. The 22-year-old would certainly fit in with Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach) Jurgen Klopp has long admired the Germany under-21 midfielder, who plies his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. Klopp will have to do battle with former club Dortmund to sign the German, while Italian giants Juventus are also interested. Getty