Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said he was relieved, pleased and proud of his team after they took their first Premiership victory since November on Saturday.

Liverpool ended a run of 11 games without a win with a 1-0 victory away at Southampton thanks to a goal from England striker Emile Heskey.

The victory also ended Southampton's unbeaten home record this season and cut short their impressive run of nine Premiership matches unbeaten.

Before he was even asked a question about the match, Houllier said: "Don't ask me if I'm relieved - yes, I am.

Winning 1-0 away from home is special for me because it means we attacked well and our defending was good as well Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier

"I think we deserved to win. We played well and played better than them - and don't forget they are a good team and play some good football. I'm very pleased and very proud."

Liverpool dominated the game, and Houllier acknowledged they could have won more comfortably.

But he said he was happy enough with the three points after their recent results.

He added: "We've got to put this into perspective.

"When I look back at the games - apart from the matches against Middlesbrough and Newcastle when we didn't play well - we could have got something out of them all.

"We've played some good football. But the results didn't go our way, and obviously it affected the confidence of the players. I am pleased that everybody stuck together.

The biggest compliment Liverpool paid them was playing like that Southampton boss Gordon Strachan

"Of course, we could have won 2-0 or 3-0 - but winning 1-0 away from home is special for me because it means we attacked well and our defending was good as well."

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan was gracious in defeat and said: "The better team won on the night.

"The good players on their team were better than my good players - it's as simple as that.

"I just want to congratulate my players on a great two months - they've played really well. All I can say is that was Liverpool's best performance for a while.

"My players have given this club everything. They are players who have come from the lower divisions and reserve teams in foreign countries.

"The biggest compliment Liverpool paid them was playing like that."