Russell Martin: Southampton boss hopes for repeat of display v Reds in Premier League

Russell Martin has guided Southampton to fourth in the Championship, five points outside the automatic promotion places

Russell Martin hopes Southampton get the chance to repeat their FA Cup performance at Anfield every week in the Premier League next season.

Saints lost 3-0 to Liverpool in the last 16 on Wednesday but earned praise for a brave performance in possession.

They spurned several big chances to take the lead but eventually bowed out after conceding two late goals.

Martin told BBC Radio Solent: "It was a really incredible performance. I hope we can do the same next season."

Martin saw Sekou Mara twice denied by Reds keeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the first half, while Kamaldeen Sulemana hit the post.

"I'm really gutted that we've lost - 3-0 is not a fair reflection of the game, I don't think. We could have been 2-0 or 3-0 up before they got close to our goal," he said.

"My feeling is of incredible pride and gratitude to the players for how they've played. The supporters who came will have enjoyed watching their team for a long time... it's the quality of the finishing and some outstanding goalkeeping.

"I learned that we have some incredibly brave and talented players that I hope we can bring to the Premier League together and do the same again next season. We asked them to be the team we want to be and they were. We'll take a huge amount from it."

With a trip to Birmingham in the Championship on Saturday, Saints face an anxious wait to discover the extent of a thigh injury to right wing-back Kyle Walker-Peters, who limped down the tunnel just 17 minutes after coming on a second-half substitute.

Martin added: "We weren't even aware of it, the referee told us. He said he felt his quad. We'll have to assess it and hope he's not out for too long."