Ronald Koeman is urging Saints to take “the next step” on their upward journey and beat Liverpool tonight for a chance to win the Capital One Cup.

Ever since the club started their climb from League One it has been one success after another for Saints, culminating in last season’s seventh placed Premier League finish and Europa League qualification.

However, a major trophy has alluded Saints since 1976, a frustrating statistic for a club of their size and pedigree in terms of top flight status.

Saints tonight play in the League Cup quarter-finals for the second year in succession, and are hoping to defeat Liverpool at St Mary’s for a place in the last four of the competition for only the third time in their history.

When asked about the potential significance of winning a trophy, Koeman replied: “First, it is well deserved for the club, all the people in the club, all the fans.

“The second, of course, it is the next step.

“That is one of the meetings we had with the team at the start of the season, was about improving, being better than last year.

“We know it is difficult, really very difficult to reach the same level, because in one and a half years we lost 10, 11 players, a whole team.

“It is not always easy to sign new players, because they need time to adapt, it’s difficult.

“Maybe that is one of the reasons why the level is still not consistent at the moment.

“We are looking to be more consistent, even in one game, one match, to be more consistent in the whole game.

“Not like last Saturday (against Manchester City) - 20 minutes poorly, then after that, our level. Try to play 90, 95 minutes on that level.”

Last year’s cup run ended in bitter disappointment as Sheffield United knocked Saints out on a miserable night at Bramall Lane.

Koeman knows the importance of trying to avoid the same fate at home tonight.

“It’s very important because we have as a Southampton team two opportunities to win a title,” he explained.

“One is the FA Cup, and the second one is the Capital One Cup.

“We don’t win the Premier League, and it’s very important.

“First about the competition, we like to reach the semi-final, and second after the two defeats the best way to get back full of confidence is winning.

“I don’t know to talk about the past. I don’t like to talk about then past but what happens now, and what comes now.

“It’s a great game to play, it’s sold-out the stadium, we play against one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Liverpool is doing well, it’s a new manager who gives a lot of energy to the team and the players.

“It’s a nice challenge, we play at home and the best is to prepare ourselves.”