"THIS season has been defined by moments that have been critical," Russell Martin insisted after his Saints side suffered their 10th defeat of the Premier League season on Sunday.

Southampton came from behind to lead league leaders Liverpool before Mohamed Salah's second-half brace swung the game back in Arne Slot's favour.

The defeat leaves Saints rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, with half the number of points (four) 19th-placed Crystal Palace (eight) have after 12 games.

"We have no choice but to keep working," Martin continued. "We knew this season was going to be tough, it's not a surprise to anyone that we are fighting.

"I think it feels worse because some of the goals we have conceded and the timing of those goals. The objective hasn't changed.

"The willingness the players have to run hasn't changed. As long as they stick to that, we will be fine."

READ MORE: Why it's finally time to give Paul Onuachu a fair shot at Southampton

Saints boss Russell Martin has won just once in the Premier LeagueSaints boss Russell Martin has won just once in the Premier League (Image: Stuart Martin) Despite Martin's optimism, Southampton face an almighty task to avoid an immediate return back to the Championship.

Scrapping at the bottom of the Premier League is not an unfamiliar feeling at St Mary's in recent years. They finished in the bottom six in five of their last six campaigns.

Relegation came in 2022/23 before Martin guided them back to the Premier League, via the Championship play-offs, at the first time of asking.

As Martin pointed out, Saints were destined for a tough campaign on their return to the top flight. 

However, many felt they would have delivered more by now following the Wembley triumph.

Southampton find themselves eight points adrift of where they were after their first 12 games of the 2022/23 relegation campaign.

Martin's side have won just once in the league - a 1-0 victory over Everton at home - and drew with Ipswich Town. They had won three times by this stage last time.

Early season victories over Leicester City, Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth, and draws against Leeds United, West Ham and Arsenal had them sitting on 12 points in 16th.

The tight margin between victory and defeat is best displayed by looking into the number of goals Saints have scored and conceded.

Although they have only scored two goals fewer this season, they have leaked five more than they had done up to now under Ralph Hasenhüttl.

Southampton's goals scored and conceded in 2022/23 compared to 2024/25Southampton's goals scored and conceded in 2022/23 compared to 2024/25 (Image: SDE) The Austrian's side also took the lead more times, six compared to Martin's five. The key detail here is that Hasenhüttl's Saints stayed in games for longer.

In the first 12 games of 2022/23, Southampton kept their opponents to a maximum of one goal on eight occasions.

When goals are hard to come by, keeping the opposition out becomes even more important. That is something they have failed to do this season.

Southampton have kept just one clean sheet - the same tally as in 2022/23 - but have conceded one goal or fewer just five times.

Graph of Southampton's goals conceded per gameweek during the 2022/23 and 2024/25 campaigns.Graph of Southampton's goals conceded per gameweek during the 2022/23 and 2024/25 campaigns. (Image: SDE).Only Wolves have a worse defensive record than them this season, however, Gary O'Neil's side are crucially more prolific.

Southampton have conceded three goals in six separate games this season (and twice in the Carabao Cup). They had only managed that feat twice by now two seasons ago.

By conceding so many goals per game, Saints are giving themselves too great of a mountain to climb. Take the defeat to Manchester United at St Mary's as an example.

The hosts were the better side and would have led had Cameron Archer converted his penalty.

Instead, they conceded two quickfire goals before the break and heads dropped due to the challenge in front of them.

Saints fell to a 3-0 defeat against Man United at St MarysSaints fell to a 3-0 defeat against Man United at St Marys (Image: Stuart Martin) Seven different goalscorers have found the net this season (Yukinari Sugawara, Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Cameron Archer x2, Joe Aribo Adam Armstrong x2, Mateus Fernandes).

Conceding goals from set-pieces has been Southampton's biggest Achilles heel. Nine of the goals they have allowed are directly from a dead ball situation or the second ball which followed.

Southampton are now working with a set-piece consultant and have seen an improvement since doing so.

READ MORE: Set-piece consultant working with Southampton amid struggles

Salah's penalty goal on Sunday was the first set-piece goal leaked in the league since the late winner scored by Jordan Ayew for Leicester.

Saints lost 3-2 to Leicester City at St Mary'sSaints lost 3-2 to Leicester City at St Mary's (Image: Stuart Martin)As you are already well aware, Saints were relegated in 2022/23, despite making a start Saints could only dream of making this season.

Saints earned just 13 more points from the 22 games that followed their decision to sack Hasenhüttl.

The key stat here is that no team has ever avoided relegation from the Premier League after losing 10 for their first 12 games. Martin's side will need to break records to avoid the drop.