It had to come to an end sometime. Saints' amazing run - unbeaten at home all season and ten games without defeat - couldn't go on forever.

But it was down to earth with a bump on Saturday as Saints were outplayed by Liverpool.

The Anfield men, coming into the game on the back of 11 without a win, were desperate to prove a point.

They were so hungry, so determined and it took Saints by surprise.

In fact, it's fair to say that they out Sainted Saints.

Because it's been that kind of attitude and application that Saints have used to blow away so many opponents this season.

Gerard Houllier's men flew out of the traps and were unlucky to go in at half-time only 1-0 up.

The biggest disappointment for Saints must be their failure to create a meaningful opening - particularly in the second period.

In the first half, Liverpool went at it hell for leather. And, as Gordon Strachan said, when you have world class players playing like that it's all you can do to hang on to them.

Having done that though, Saints got a grip of the game in the second half but never capitalised on their possession.

Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz were able to deal with the balls coming towards them but were never really turned by a Saints pass.

But that's not to take anything away from Liverpool, who were top class.

The first worrying signs of their hunger for the match were obvious as early as 18 seconds into the game when Antti Niemi had to save John Arne Riise's sweetly- struck long range drive and then block the follow up from Michael Owen.

In the next eight minutes Danny Murphy went close as well as Owen again.

But the Merseysiders did get the lead on 14 minutes.

Michael Svensson was adjudged to have hauled down Emile Heskey on the right wing.

Riise swung in the free kick with his left foot and Heskey evaded his marker to power home a free header.

Heskey had a great chance to double the lead eight minutes later when he got through one-on-one with Niemi.

He shimmied and shaped and postured and posed but ultimately just drilled a shot straight at the Saints 'keeper who stood tall and strong and saved.

In the second half Liverpool's best opening fell to Owen 12 minutes after the restart.

Riise had time on the left wing on the counter attack, looked up and squared to Owen.

The England striker had plenty of space as he entered the box and aimed for the far corner.

He pulled the trigger but fired a blank as the ball went wide of the post.

Southampton's only effort on target during the match came in the opening throes of the second half.

Jo Tessem drilled in a long range shot but it was straight at Chris Kirkland who dealt with it comfortably.

For the rest of the game Liverpool allowed Saints possession along their backline but the St Mary's men found it impossible to pass through their strong midfield and defence.

Gordon Strachan replaced Chris Marsden and Jo Tessem with Anders Svensson and Brett Ormerod with 30 minutes remaining but it wasn't until the very end of the match that a flurry of half chances presented themselves.

Fabrice Fernandes crossed for Claus Lundekvam who headed over, James Beattie got through but was offside and Anders Svensson headed narrowly wide.

The spine of Liverpool's team was superb throughout.

From the two centre halves who hardly let Beattie and Tessem win a single ball in the air, to the central midfielders who worked tirelessly and closed down all the space in front of them, to the two strikers who defended from the front.

On the wings Riise was a constant threat while El-Hadji Diouf's pace was always a worry as he took up a role playing in between Wayne Bridge and Marsden.

Strachan summed it up when he said: "We were beaten by the better side on the night."

But he rightly added: "I want to congratulate my players on a great two months for the club."