Jurgen Klopp has aired his delight at seeing Liverpool overcome Southampton 2-0 in "difficult circumstances" to consolidate their top-four prospects.
First-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah would prove to be enough for the Reds, who were able to cruise to three more points at St Mary's Stadium in the wet and windy conditions.
Liverpool returned to third place in the Premier League as a result of the straightforward win and are now four points better off than Chelsea in fifth, while Arsenal lag a further five points back.
Klopp insists that the battle for a top-four finish is far from over just yet, though, with 11 matches - including against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea - still to play.
"It was not a brilliant performance," he told Sky Sports News. "Not everything worked quite well, the wind was quite strange. It was difficult circumstances and we did the job. That is very important.
"We scored early, got the second goal in the right moment and then controlled the game. We don't have normal weekends anymore. We want to finish the season top four and we need the points. I don't think nine points from Arsenal is enough to have rest but it is nine points. There is a lot to go for and we will try to carry on like today."
Klopp has won 50 of his 95 Premier League games in charge of Liverpool.
Daniel Lewis
