Martin explains decision to start Fraser against Liverpool

The 30 year old started the 3-2 defeat on his first appearance since going off injured in a Carabao Cup contest against Stoke City in October.

Fraser had not been part of the squad since then but continued his recovery during the international break to play at wing-back on Sunday.

He was selected ahead of Japanese international Yukinari Sugawara, who had travelled to Asia and had only one training session at Saints before the match.

"Wee Man gives us an attacking threat," said Martin. "He swapped sides in the game and it helped us when Kyle went on the left and he went right.

"They give us that flexibility and Yuki's been away on international duty and travelled a lot. Then he came back and trained one day with us.

"In a different shape, to chuck him in and after one day's training would have been a bit unfair. We tried to have as many attackers on the pitch as we could."

Fraser's inclusion was not the only managerial decision to raise eyebrows ahead of kick-off as midfielder Flynn Downes was tasked with an unfamiliar role.

Flynn Downes could feature in defence again on Friday (Image: Stuart Martin)

Downes, 25, started in central defence amid Jan Bednarek's injury absence with Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens on either flank.

The former West Ham man was punished for a clearance straight to Dominik Szoboszlai for the Reds opener but was otherwise reliable for Saints.

Martin explained: "Flynn's played there in defence for us at Swansea a bit. He ends up building up there a lot as well and he has real pace to defend the transition.

"Against Salah when there was going to be space behind and Cody Gakpo on the other side, I thought he actually did quite well on the whole.

"He mishits one clearance and he gets punished in the Premier League so I'm sure that will get looked at, that decision, but I thought he played really well.

"He stepped forward with the ball a few times and read the game really well and also it's about relationships. We spoke about this a lot.

"He, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens have played together a lot. Usually, he's in front of them but they've played together a lot."