Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has said that he is confident his side will prove a match for Liverpool when the teams meet in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday evening.

The Saints earned a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the league earlier this season, and the Dutchman believes that his side can go one better at St Mary's.

"I think Liverpool are strong, but Southampton are also strong, and I think they know there is not a big difference between both teams," he told the club's website.

"I think their new manager brought a lot of energy, a lot of spirit to the team. I think at the moment it's more difficult to beat them. They play really offensively and try to play with high pressing.

"We are looking forward to it, because it's a title that we like to win. We want to reach the semi-final, because that means a home game and one away game and that's the best. But we know we have to beat Liverpool first and they are doing well."

The quarter-final clash kicks off at 7.45pm on December 2.