Pelle ready to show no Mersey to old side

MAURICIO PELLEGRINO insists there is no room for sentiment today when Southampton host his former club Liverpool.

The Argentine spent six months at Anfield after being signed on a free in January 2005 by his one-time Valencia coach Rafa Benitez.

Central defender Pellegrino appeared just 13 times for the Reds that season but the brief spell on Merseyside left a lasting impression.

Not that those fond memories will make any difference to his approach in the dugout at St Mary’s this afternoon. Yes, facing Jurgen Klopp’s high-flyers will be a little more emotional because of past ties. However, Pellegrino, 46, has vowed to put that aside come kick-off.

The Saints coach, whose side were hovering a point above the drop zone last night, said: “Liverpool is a special game for me.

“They’re not only one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League but one of the biggest in the world. But now I am representing Southampton – and all I want is for us to do our best – and be better than we were against them away from home.”

Saints were beaten 3-0 in that reverse fixture back in November – their joint-widest defeat of the campaign, alongside a 5-2 crushing at Spurs.

Yet, having recently held Spurs to a 1-1 draw on the south coast, Pellegrino is optimistic.

He added: “If we look at away and home against Spurs, we were much better at home. We want to continue on that path.” HARRY PRATT