Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is delighted with what he's seen from Ibrahima Diallo.

Hasenhuttl said the France under-21 international had been “amazing" after he stepped up in place of the injured Oriol Romeu for the battle against defending champions Liverpool last time out.

Asked what Diallo was like to deal with as a character, Hasenhuttl said: “I think he is very professional and he is a little bit calm, but he is also aggressive.

“He doesn't like to lose, he is definitely a winner. He knows exactly what he wants to do.

“To convince him to come here was not so easy because he really asked questions, I must say, that I haven't had so often as a manager trying to sign a new player.

“He really wanted to know what we are about. I think everything we told him is exactly how he found it."

He added: “The issue for him was that the team were playing so well, so it was difficult for him to step into the side.

“Although he understands this, he was not happy about it. But now is the moment he gets the chance to play.

“I don't want to overload him with expectations. But he knows if he shows me what he can deliver, then that is enough for me."