Blame me, says Pellegrino after supporters vent fury at slump

SOUTHAMPTON manager Mauricio Pellegrino faces an uncertain future after his side slipped into the relegation zone. Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino scored for Liverpool to pile on the misery for Pellegrino, who admitted the fans have run out of patience with him. ‘it’s really difficult to ask for more support in this situation,’ he said. ‘i have to be grateful with the fans for respecting the players until the end. We have the same feelings right now. ‘We are responsible for this. i am the most responsible for this.’ Victory over West Brom last week, which was Southampton’s first in the league since november, had given Pellegrino confidence his side were on the up. But the 46-year-old, who was jeered for his substitutions and at the final whistle, said the belief of his players went when Firmino opened the scoring in the sixth minute. ‘our belief and confidence was very down and that was the worst part of the game,’ he said. ‘We have to be more brave in these types of situations. You can be losing 3-0 but you can show spirit to try to bounce back, and try until the end.’ Pellegrino also criticised central defender Wesley Hoedt, who was at fault for both Liverpool goals. ‘obviously it was really tough to concede too early. When you play against this side, i said before, you have to do everything almost perfectly. it was a pity to concede to this mistake on the counter-attack. ‘obviously, after the second goal, it was really tough for us to come back and, little by little, our confidence was really down.’ Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp started Virgil van Dijk in the defender’s first appearance at St Mary’s since leaving for £75million last month. Klopp said he was pleased with the way Van Dijk handled himself after being booed by the home supporters. ‘He did really well and dealt with the situation fantastically,’ said Klopp. ‘We had a little chat before the game. i didn’t want to make him nervous, but obviously he wasn’t. the crowd is there to make life difficult for the opponent, but it wasn’t too difficult for him.’