Mauricio Pochettino revealed that he lost his temper with his players at half-time against Liverpool, despite a stunning opening 45 minutes from Saints.

Pochettino’s side had roared into a two-goal lead at St Mary’s and could have been even further ahead, as they tore the Reds defence apart.

But any Saints player expecting a warm welcome from their manager at the interval would have been sorely disappointed when they got into the dressing room.

Pochettino was furious that his team had conceded a soft goal in added time, which halved their advantage.

Philippe Coutinho, who played under the Argentinian boss at Espanyol last season, fired into the net to make it 2-1 after Steven Gerrard had headed a Luis Suárez delivery across goal and José Fonte had blocked Daniel Sturridge’s shot.

“I was really angry when I went into the dressing room at half-time,” said Pochettino. “It changed what I said to my players.”

The Saints boss admitted that being caught on the counter attack is a possibility with the way he sets the team up, but he will not accept them conceding goals when they have so many people behind the ball.

“We are an attack-minded team and always want to push forward and it’s not such a big deal if we concede a goal when we are pressing really high to get a goal for ourselves as well,” he said.

“But to concede a goal when there are ten of my players in my own area, in my own box, and concede a goal like that I can never tolerate that.

“That is my job and that’s what we still need to improve.”

Pochettino was amused at the suggestion after the match that he always appears to be calm and in control.

“I don’t really see myself in that way,” he said. “I’ve kept up appearances quite well.”

When asked if this was the first time he had lost his temper with his players, he added simply: “There have been other occasions.”