Ronald Koeman was delighted with Jordy Clasie’s first Premier League start for Saints and believes his partnership with Victor Wanyama looks instantly promising.

Dutch midfielder Clasie arrived in the summer with much expected of him but injuries have prevented him playing much of a role so far.

Indeed, up until yesterday’s game against Liverpool he had been restricted to starting one match in the Europa League and coming on as a second half sub against Leicester last weekend.

However, Koeman was convinced Clasie was ready to really begin his Saints career proper, and thrust him into the starting line-up at Anfield.

Claise quickly settled into the rhythm of the game and looked a natural partner for Victor Wanyama’s powerhouse style.

Koeman was very pleased with the performance of his summer arrival and with the way Wanyama and he developed as the match wore on.

Koeman said: “I think he play well.

“He was aggressive, I think he was a good couple on our midfield with Victor Wanyama and Jordy together.

“Ok, to know exactly if a player is really back you have to give the player that opportunity and sometimes it’s easier to start the game than to come on in the second half.

“It was good today.”

Koeman admitted the 1-1 draw was a fair result, and that Saints were naturally delighted to bag a late equaliser, but the mood was a little soured by a late red card for goalscorer Sadio Mane, who picked up two bookings in the space of a few minutes in stoppage time.

The main positive for Saints is that Mane will not miss a league match, as he will serve his one game ban in the Capital One Cup tie against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

Koeman wasn’t totally convinced Mane should have been shown two yellow cards by referee Andre Marriner for what were two relatively minor offense, but accepted that applying the letter of the law the officially probably felt he had no choice.

“Difficult,” surmised Koeman.

“A little bit the feeling I think it’s so easy to give a player a second one in a game who wasn’t tough, who wasn’t difficult.

“Maybe it’s a foul and if you keep the rules maybe as a referee you have to give a second one.

“Ok, then we accept it.”