SAINTS boss Russell Martin has urged his side to "embrace the challenge" of taking on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at Anfield.
The Merseyside club won the EFL Cup in dramatic circumstances on Sunday, beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley - despite considerable injury problems.
Saints have lost three of their last four matches ahead of the FA Cup fifth round tie but hope the clash with the eight-time winners could be a catalyst for their form.
Martin revealed his admiration for the job Klopp has done at Liverpool and he wants his side to go "toe-to-toe" with the Premier League leaders.
He claimed: "I’m going to stand in the dugout next to one of the greatest managers we’ve seen in the Premier League. I’m really looking forward to going up against him.
"I think he has been amazing for the Premier League and what he’s done - not just with the play on the pitch but to bring a city together and to connect with the community like he has is incredible.
"I look forward to that very much. We’ve enjoyed looking at the games to try and prepare for what’s going to help us.
"It’s just a brilliant opportunity for us to go toe-to-toe there and see how far we’ve come and see how far we have to go as well, myself included."
Martin continued: "I have so much respect for Jurgen Klopp. Him and Pep Guardiola are the two best because they manage to remain themselves the whole time.
"The level of authenticity at that level all the time, to remain true to yourself and what you believe in, and to walk that line and sometimes you overstep that line as a winner – I think is incredible."
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season but they remain in the hunt for four trophies.
Martin, though, insists Saints are not going to Anfield without pressure and wants his players to be excited by the occasion.
He added: "There's always pressure. No one will expect us to get anything outside of this building. I think the challenge for us is to be the team we want to be.
"Now we’re going to Anfield which is an amazing place to play. If you don’t get excited by all of that or embrace that challenge or look forward to it, then you are probably in the wrong game
"I think it’s one we are all looking forward to and the challenge for us is to be the team we want to be. To go there and be brave and aggressive, we’ll see where it will take us.
"We will have 5,000 fans there on a Wednesday night which is incredible so it will be a brilliant atmosphere I’m sure and it’s one we are all very much looking forward to."
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