Liverpool are having one of their best seasons in almost three decades but that does not faze Ralph Hasenhuttl who is relishing the chance to take them on this evening in front of a sold out St Mary's.
It's a big task for Saints this evening with Liverpool having lost only once in the Premier League this season, that being to current leaders Manchester City who despite starting this evening top have themselves lost 4 times.
This does give Saints some hope in that although Liverpool have only lost once, they have a tendency to draw too many games whereas City have drawn only 2 the Reds have tied 7 and that could give Saints a chance.
Ralph Hasenhuttl ready t take them on and knows that it won't be easy.
"I think it's the best pressing team in the Premier League, with a lot of quality in the attacking three positions, and they know you have to have a good gameplan and also a good balance of taking risks or playing in areas where you don't have to play," said Hasenhüttl.
"That means we have to have a very good preparation for the game. I think the guys during the week were very concentrated and hard working and, with the last two wins in the mind, that helps us, sure, because we showed that we can also create problems for big teams at home in St Mary's.
"Although Liverpool lost only one game this year, you never know. Maybe nine out of ten games you lose against such a team, but we are looking for this one game on Friday."
Hasenhüttl added: "You know this team doesn't have a lot of weakness in playing, also in away games.
"It's always the same — finding a good balance, finding the right moments to press, to attack, but also be aware of losing balls in some positions, because they have a very quick and very good transition forward.
"Everything you know about this team is they are, in every position, on a very high level and combined with a good, tactical plan, and that makes this challenge a huge one."
Hasenhuttl has shows his tactical nous this season and has not been afraid to change formation when needed as shown against Brighton:
"It was a big advantage against Brighton," he said. "What I heard after the game is they were preparing for a 5-2-3 the whole time, and then it was a surprise for them that we changed the shape.
"After winning against Tottenham, we played a different shape against Brighton, so you never really can expect it.
"The team showed that they are now tactically more flexible. We were working very hard for three weeks on this 4-2-2-2, and it's also an option "
The odds say that this will be a Liverpool win, but Saints fans know that these days Saints are a different proposition and will put up more of a fight than they did in the last three League meetings with the Merseyside team all of which ended in defeat.