LIVERPOOL 3 - SAINTS 1

Liverpool proved last night that they have exactly that, but Saints still remain a fair way away.

That's not to try and compare the squads of Liverpool and Saints, who have vastly different resources, but any St Mary's fans getting carried away with dreams of cup success and Champions League football after a few wins need not get too excited just yet. Under Gordon Strachan, Saints have developed the potential to have a good cup run or finish in the top half - but they can't compete with a squad like Gerard Houllier's.

The Frenchman has nurtured a squad brimming with talent, flair, hard work and commitment.

He's brought in some little known players, some from little known countries, and blended them with Merseyside's finest.

They can win the Premiership this season. They should win the Premiership this season.

But they can also win the Worthington Cup - with their reserve side.

Against Saints last night, Houllier made 10, yes 10, changes to his Premiership team on Saturday.

Despite making the changes and playing many players who hadn't tasted first team action for some time - in the case of young Jon Otsemobor ever - the team was still competitive, featured eight full internationals and eased past Saints into the fourth round.

Strachan on the other hand rested Brett Ormerod, Fabrice Fernandes and Anders Svensson and missed them.

More so Fernandes with the Frenchman's much needed creativity lacking.

Saints still put up a good fight though and were in the game when Agustin Delgado, in only his second start for the club, levelled in the second period.

But Liverpool had too much for them.

Houllier, one of the game's great philosophers, said: "This was a good win for us for us and a good game because it shows two things - one is that we have quality in strength in the squad and the other is that we have a great attitude.

"When you play players on the fringe of the first team, and when they play like that, you are happy because you know you can win things.

"With the exception of one, every player had played in the Premiership before and a lot of them were internationals, former internationals or internationals to be."

He was also glowing in his praise of Saints and Strachan, adding: "Southampton are a good team and they deserved their equaliser - Chris Kirkland had denied it for a long time but the fact we kept our heads up and scored that second goal proved the quality and mental strength of the team at the moment.

"We started with seven players below the age of 23 but don't forget that Southampton were on a good run coming into this game and played very well at Old Trafford.

"Gordon Strachan could have won the manager of the month award and that is also a reflection of the job he's done and the results of the team.

"We have beaten a good team."

Saints were at their strongest in the first half when they seriously competed with Liverpool.

Kirkland produced a string of world class saves to keep Saints out during the tie.

In the first half alone he did well to stop Matthew Oakley twice, Delgado on several occasions and James Beattie.

But just before half-time Saints' strong resistance, led by centre-backs Claus Lundekvam and Michael Svensson, was broken.

Svensson fouled Milan Baros and from the resulting free-kick Patrik Berger drilled the ball hard and low but hopelessly directed - only for it to hit Svensson and fly into the opposite corner.

It was the third game in a row Saints keeper Antti Niemi, who was on top form, was beaten by a deflection - twice courtesy of Svensson and once Wayne Bridge.

Kirkland was again on song in the second period but, having made two brilliant saves from Svensson, couldn't prevent Delgado slamming home his first Saints goal from close range.

But then Liverpool stepped up a gear and began to run Saints ragged.

They regained their lead only a minute later when Baros crossed for El-Hadji Diouf to tap in at the far post.

The icing on their cake came on 60 minutes when Baros turned in Berger's cross.

What a reserve team!