PUEL AFTER A BIG FINISH

CLAUDE PUEL is hoping that joy against the top six will save his job as Southampton manager. As revealed by

Starsport yesterday, the Frenchman is in danger of being sacked following training ground rows with several of the club’s top stars, including England full-back Ryan Bertrand.

His position will come under even greater threat if Saints fail to finish in the top half of the Premier League table for the first time since 2013.

They sit in ninth spot but are just three points above Crystal Palace in 16th.

Former Lyon boss Puel (right) has not won any of his league meetings with the current top six and his side face Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in a daunting run-in.

But ahead of Sunday’s trip to Anfield, the St Mary’s chief said: “Playing these teams is perhaps more motivation.

“I am sure we can play a good game against Liverpool and the other good teams.”

Saints were booed off at half-time and full-time during Saturday’s turgid 0-0 draw at home to Hull as fans turned on Puel.

The shell-shocked boss, who was only appointed last summer, said: “After this game it is important to have a good reaction.

“We played good football but it was not enough to win. We need to accept and correct this.”

Puel will come under intense scrutiny from his board in the final weeks of the season, with Hull boss Marco Silva emerging as a potential replacement.