Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is expecting to face the "best possible Liverpool team" this weekend.

The Reds played mid-week, winning the UEFA Super Cup over Chelsea, with manager Jurgen Klopp complaining about the game stretching to penalties in the humid Istanbul heat.

Hasenhuttl, though, isn't buying it and believes Liverpool will provide a stern test for his players at St. Mary's.

"I heard the message from Jurgen that he thought we would celebrate, I was happy that they were playing longer - I was happy, but mostly because of the reason I have more pictures to show my players," Hasenhuttl said at a press conference.

"Last year Liverpool I think they played 13 times in the week and in the 13 times they played at the weekend, they won 11 and drew two.

"This team has so much quality, and Jurgen tries to puts out maybe a little bit of an excuse for the fitness from his players.

"But he doesn't have to, they have such quality, it is not a problem for them after 120 minutes on the Wednesday to come here and make a good game.

"In modern football and especially with these big teams, they get used to it. We are at the beginning of the season and that does not really mean they are tired.

"I expect the best best possible Liverpool team you can imagine, and we are preparing for this."