ORIOL Romeu admits that he could feel a comeback brewing when Saints were 2-0 down against Liverpool at St Mary’s yesterday.

Sadio Mane’s brace and Graziano Pelle’s goal completed a superb second half turnaround to record a sensational 3-2 victory against the Reds.

Romeu says that Saints always had the belief to pull something like that off and reckons that the result sends a message to their rivals for a Europa League place.

"There was a feeling that we could get that comeback and it was very good from the team," said an elated Romeu.

He added: "When you believe it’s difficult to stop a team and when the eleven players are doing their job on the pitch properly and believing in the win."

Ronald Koeman brought on Mane and Victor Wanyama at half time and that helped galvanise Saints.

They were both influential in the comeback, with Mane ending a 16-game goal drought and Wanyama producing a combative display that aided Saints in blunting Jurgen Klopp’s side, who threatened to run riot in the first half.

“We didn’t feel comfortable. We lost many ball, they were pressing well but we were not playing well enough. We have better quality than that,” the Spaniard said about the first half performance.

“Second half we knew we had to be clever, not allowing them to get those spaces behind and playing more clinical.

“We believed, we played very well and we’re happy.”

Mane missed a penalty before netting twice.

“We had four or five minutes  of shock because we had a good chance (the penalty) and we didn’t get it in but we kept doing the same,” he said.

“It showed our character and we’re very proud.

“In the second half with Victor in the middle we could at least not allow them to run as much and they were closer to their goal.

“After their second went in it was all about the belief.”

He continued: “Mane came in the second-half along with Victor and they did very well coming into the team and they helped us to do that comeback.”

Romeu says that Saints’ form is sending a message to their rivals in the chase for European places.

“We feel that now we’re closer to our goals and objectives and that’s a big show to other teams what we want to get in this season,” he said.

“The aim is going for the next one. It will be tough because Leicester are flying and they are doing an amazing season.”