'A lot of positives' - Rusk on Carabao Cup defeat

Southampton interim boss Simon Rusk says Southampton can take positives from their Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool, particularly with it coming after "a very quick turnaround" from Premier League action.

Former boss Russell Martin was sacked late on Sunday night following a 5-0 home defeat by Tottenham and Rusk says the Saints were not given much opportunity to prepare for the visit of Arne Slot's Premier League leaders.

"There was very little time for recovery for the lads," Rusk told BBC Radio Solent. "In the first half, probably given the nature of the other day, we were a little bit tentative and maybe a bit passive.

"I thought the first goal we conceded was a little bit unfortunate. We maybe didn't get the rub of the green in that respect, with certain actions and moments.

"But credit to the lads, they stuck together. We spoke about keeping the belief at half-time and about staying in the game, so that then grew into a great second-half display.

"The goal from Cameron [Archer] was a catalyst to really throw some caution to the wind in what we were doing.

"Overall, I thought we had that little bit more bite about us and that was aided by our moments of quality. The aim was to be in the game - and we were - so I think we can take a lot of positives from this."

Rusk confirmed that the club are not sure whether defender James Bree sustained "a contact injury or something a bit niggly like a muscular injury" during the game.

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds