SPARKY: IF REDS WIN ONE TROPHY, THEY’LL GO ON TO RULE GAME

MARK HUGHES is tipping an era of Liverpool domination – if they can end their 28-year title drought this season. Hughes (left) helped Liverpool’s arch rivals Manchester United to a first championship in 26 years in 1993 before going on to eclipse the Reds as England’s most successful club side. The Southampton manager, whose team travel to Anfield today, said: “You look at Liverpool and you sense they are very close. “They are as good as they have been for a number of years but they need to put trophies on the sideboard now. They need to go the final step. “Premier League titles have not been forthcoming but it is part of the history of that club that they challenge and I think this year they could go very close. “At United it was a stick to beat us with for many years and the longer it went on the harder it became. “I would imagine that is a similar situation for Liverpool. “Once we had broken through that glass ceiling, it seemed like it became easier for the teams that followed to win trophies. “If Liverpool are going to become the team they feel they can be, and be as successful as they want to be, they need to get that first Premier League title. “If they do that then I think a lot of titles will follow for them.” Victory for Liverpool would see Jurgen Klopp’s men set a new club record of seven straight wins at the start of a season. Sparky said: “Liverpool are in outstanding form and had a great performance in Europe in the week. “But I will say I have had good results against them in the past, both as a manager and a player.”