Premier League title harder to win than Champions League – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl claimed the Premier League title was the “most countable” trophy before hosting four-time pursuers Liverpool.

Urging Klopp’s Reds travel to St Mary’s on Tuesday night to keep their hopes alive of overtaking leaders Manchester City.

The Merseyside club have already won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season and will face Real Madrid in the Champions League final later this month.

But Hasenhuttl sees success in the top flight – which Liverpool has achieved just once in 32 years – as their greatest achievement.

“We all know Jürgen and how strong he is, and you can be sure that he won’t give up the chance of winning the championship,” said Hasenhüttl.

“That’s still the most countable title for everyone because it’s the hardest to get.

“For me it’s even harder to be consistently at the top for 38 games in the Premier League than sometimes to win the Champions League.

“Even though he (Klopp) says it’s hard for him to bet on all four, I know he’ll do whatever it takes to win that game on Tuesday to give himself a chance on the final day.”

Four points behind City, Liverpool know a shock mid-game defeat at the South Coast would end their title ambitions.

The Reds end the season at home against Wolves on Sunday while Pep Guardiola hosts defending champions Aston Villa.

Hasenhuttl has drawn City twice this season and is keen to have another say in the title race.

“I think it’s fantastic that the Premier League is in such a close title race,” said the Austrian, whose side were beaten 4-0 at Anfield in November.

“Everyone is electrified by this fight and we are now part of this duel.

“We did our job this season against Man City with two points. They lost four points to us in the title race.

“Against Liverpool, the first game we lost, it’s now up to us to show again that we’re competitive against a top side.

“For me it’s one of the most difficult games to prepare for because of the opponent’s flexibility and their incredible offensive qualities.”

Hasenhuttl had been aiming for a first-half finish this season but faced the wrath of his own fans in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford – their seventh loss in ten league games.

The former RB Leipzig manager is hoping to say goodbye in front of the Saints fans on a high, but admits it will be far from easy, declaring the visit to Liverpool “our Champions League final”.

“It’s maybe the most difficult thing at home,” said Hasenhuttl, whose side beat Arsenal at St Mary’s last month and also took home points against Manchester United, Tottenham and City.

“We showed against the top teams that we can achieve something really big – and we will need that on Tuesday night.

“They (the players) know what team we’re up against, they know how tough it is, they know what form they’re in.

“It’s our Champions League final, if you will. And we’re putting everything we have into it and the team that’s on the pitch is the team that will do anything to make them proud.”