For all the games Saints have won this season, Ronald Koeman believes it is one they lost that actually laid the foundation for their success.

The club’s manager has identified the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on the opening weekend as the key moment in their campaign, helping them to put a summer of upheaval firmly behind them.

“It might seem strange, but the crucial game was probably when we lost 2-1 at Liverpool in our opening match,” he said in an interview with FIFA.

“The result went against us, but our performance that night was very good and laid down a marker.

“Everyone could see that there were positive things happening.

“It also gave the players confidence.

“From that moment, we grew in belief from game to game.

“And I’m sure we can keep building. I think there’s a lot to look forward to.”

Saints, who have slipped to seventh after maintaining a Champions League push for much of the campaign, could yet end the season by qualifying for the Europa League.

That in itself would be an outcome that many observers would have deemed unachievable last summer.

Yet Koeman reiterated that he always believed Saints were in for a strong season.

“I was always quietly confident,” he added.

“There was a lot of focus on the players who were leaving, but I always felt calm and prepared for what lay ahead.

“Through all the negativity, it was very important that I transmitted that calm and confidence to the players.

“But it was genuine – I always believed we could have a good season.”