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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Joel Matip sends Southampton warning to Liverpool but believes Chelsea victory offers key effect

Joel Matip has urged his Liverpool team-mates to refocus ahead of a tricky trip to Southampton this Saturday.

The Reds scaled more European heights on Wednesday night when they beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to lift the Super Cup in Istanbul's Vodafone Park.

It marked the second piece of continental silverware for Jurgen Klopp and his players in quick succession after the Champions League was won in Madrid on June 1 against Tottenham.

However, despite enjoying a short celebration post-match in Turkey, Matip knows the hard work is only just beginning for the European champions.

Liverpool have serious designs on winning a first domestic title for 30 years this term and know the margin for error is small after champions Manchester City recorded 198 points over the last two seasons.

Next up for the Reds is a visit to St Mary's on Saturday afternoon and the centre-back believes his colleagues will head to the south coast feeling fresh after their Super Cup success - despite playing 120 minutes in Istanbul.

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He said: "We have to recover and we have to focus totally on Southampton because they will give us nothing.

"We have to fight and be ready 100 per cent to go there and get something.

"We try to use the time we have to the best of our ability and we feel much fresher because we have won. But we have to focus on the next game now and that is what we will do."

Liverpool head to Southampton having won their opening Premier League game 4-1 at home to Norwich City last Friday.

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