Mauricio Pochettino had no doubts whatsoever that Dejan Lovren would immediately become a top Premier League centre half once he joined Saints.

The £8.5m summer signing, the most expensive defender in the club’s history, headed home the winner as Saints downed Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.

It was a big fee Saints paid out for Lovren but the club’s solidity at the back since he arrived – Saints have conceded just two goals in five Premier League games this season – has justified it.

The goal was the icing on the cake.

“We are very pleased with his goal,” reflected Pochettino.

“When we were following him and we were about to sign him we knew of his quality and we knew it would be very easy for him to adapt and establish himself within the league.

“We already knew about his skill and his quality but the three singings that we made, Wanyama and Osvaldo as well, have all settled really well and really quickly so we are very pleased with the three signings.”

It was hard to single out one Saints player for particular praise in what a fantastic team effort to win on Merseyside.

But Artur Boruc also won plenty of plaudits for several top drawer saves that ensured another clean sheet for his side.

“He was great, outstanding,” raved Pochettino.

“But it was not just him – the rest of the squad was outstanding.

“It’s not easy to come here and win so to actually do that makes us really pleased.

“I think all the players need to be congratulated because they put in a great performance.”

He added: “We are very pleased and satisfied with the performance of the team.

“We played very well in a very tough stadium so we are very pleased with how we played.

“I think especially in the second half we were much superior to them and we developed how we wanted to play in the second half.

“We fully believed from the outset and our performance was outstanding I thought.

“The secret also was not conceding any goals.”