MAURICIO Pellegrino reckons the “best drug” for Saints in their relegation scrap in the Premier League battle is belief.

Saints are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions heading into tomorrow’s big match against Liverpool at St Mary’s, and Pellegrino can feel the team growing in confidence and belief.

He said: “I think so. The best drug in our dressing room when you are growing is the belief in ourselves, it is the belief that when everybody is committed on the pitch thinking about what they have got to do and helping each other.

“To be a team is completely different to being a group of players and this is the best drug for our dressing room.”

He added: “I think now we are much better than before. But, in every single day, the good results are not the consequence of the best performances.

“Sometimes you don’t win, but sometimes you play well because at the end this is the game. Obviously, we have to push our luck for our side.”

Pellegrino has no new injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s game, with only long-term absentee Charlie Austin on the treatment table.

The 46-year-old boss has been pleased in recent weeks to have been able to select a regular team.

He said: “Every single player needs games in a row because for me the game is the best training session possible. You will improve with the more games you play in a row. In our squad we are looking for this from every single player.

“Sometimes it depends on the opponent, sometimes it depends on your moment and sometimes it depends on your teammates because in some positions there is more competition than others.

“We are willing to try and keep the same base of the team most of the time.”