HE has seen most things during more than two decades in coaching and management.

But Saints boss Harry Redknapp has little doubt that the task he now faces is the toughest of his career.

Although he always knew he faced a major challenge, the opening three games of his reign at St Mary's seem to have only strengthened that view.

With just 14 points at the halfway stage of the season, and difficult games at Liverpool and Manchester City now looming, the outlook is currently bleak.

But Redknapp, who has never been relegated from the top-flight - his only relegation as a manager is from the old Second Division with Bournemouth in 1990 - is determined to find a way of pulling Saints clear.

"This is the most difficult test I have ever faced as a manager - without a doubt," he admitted.

"It is a massive job, the hardest task I have taken on.

"Time is running out fast and we have got to start getting some results.

"Whatever happens, I have to find a way of keeping this team in the Premier League but there is a lot of work needed to do that."

Saints again looked short of pace, creativity and ideas during the goalless draw with Charlton on Boxing Day - a stalemate which stretched their dismal run to just a single win in their last 17 Premiership games, ironically against Redknapp's Pompey in November.

Redknapp and assistant Jim Smith admitted they need as many as five quality players during the forthcoming January transfer window.

Both have said they might have to sell star striker James Beattie to fund an overhaul - although Redknapp has made it clear that he does not want to lose his best players.

The Saints boss went all-out for victory against Charlton, gambling on an adventurous 4-3-3 formation and recalling Matthew Oakley after injury for his first Premiership match in 15 months.

But Redknapp admitted he will not persist with the same formation at Anfield today as Saints chase an unlikely third successive league win against the Merseysiders.

"You certainly cannot go for it in the same way at Liverpool," he said.

"I have to try and pick a team that will be hard to beat. We went for it on Sunday but I don't think you can go to Liverpool with your legs open!

"It's not easy to inject confidence. I've got to find a few new faces too, people who won't be afraid to make mistakes, but it's hard to find them."

Redknapp is facing several selection headaches today, with Beattie, Kevin Phillips, Peter Crouch and Brett Ormerod competing for two places up front.

Jason Dodd and Mikael Nilsson are both struggling for fitness, meaning youngster Martin Cranie may figure again at right back.

The 18-year-old, above, slotted in well on his first home start for the senior side - he had previously played at Chelsea last May and at Northampton in the Carling Cup in September - and gave the back-line added pace on Sunday, with Darren Kenton and Chris Baird both overlooked. Indeed, Saints kept a clean sheet against the Addicks - their first for 11 matches and only their fourth of the season in 22 league and cup matches (two of which have come against Charlton).