HARRY REDKNAPP has stated the case for the defence as Saints keep their focus on Premiership survival.

Saturday's 2-0 win over Liverpool was the first time all season that Saints have scored and not conceded in the same Premiership match.

Indeed, the last time they won a match and also kept a clean sheet was way back in March 2004 with a 1-0 win over Tottenham.

"We have been scoring goals but it was nice to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool - that was important," admitted Redknapp.

"Our keeper did not have an awful lot to do really. In the main, we defended well."

Redknapp was rewarded for keeping faith in a back four of Paul Telfer, Claus Lundekvam, Calum Davenport and Danny Higginbotham.

It was the fourth successive time he has fielded the same defensive quartet - the longest settled streak for a Saints defence during what has been a disjointed season.

"I kept faith but, without being disrespectful, I've not got a lot of players to change at the back," said Redknapp.

"Michael Svensson is out long-term and Le Saux is injured, so I've not got an awful lot of players to choose from. We worked hard on them and it paid the benefits.

"We brought Calum in against Fulham and he is only going to improve.

"He's a young player and I took a chance on loan with him. It was a gamble - he's a bit laid back - but, if he's at it, he has got a chance."

Saints, though, defended from the front with the towering performance of Peter Crouch allowing a five-man midfield of Jamie Redknapp, Mikael Nilsson, Rory Delap, David Prutton and Anders Svensson to dominate possession and restrict Liverpool's service to Milan Baros and Fernando Morientes.

Redknapp praised the all-round performance of his 6ft 7ins striker.

"Crouch was excellent but they all worked hard," he said.

"They were good goals from great crosses - and we had some other good opportunities.

"Crouch is a handful. He's got a lot more skill than people give him credit for. He's got touch and terrific feet for a man of his size.

"He holds the ball up and brings people into play. He did the job great for us. He was a handful for them."

With Kevin Phillips injured, Crouch had to be the focal point for Saints.

Redknapp added: "He had to hold the ball. If we were going to hit Crouchie with quality balls, he could hold it and let the others get up and join him.

"We passed the ball with better quality. He is a gentle giant - he's a very laid-back boy.

"He's a good player, can score or hold the ball up. He can definitely play. He's got good touch for a big man."

With Phillips not expected to be rushed back from his ankle injury to face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, Crouch could again feature in a similar formation.

"It worked okay for us but, when Kevin comes back, we will look at it," said Redknapp.

"We can play with four or five, but it is about having confidence in the club and believing in ourselves."