SAINTS interim Simon Rusk expects some players to be "disappointed" at Russell Martin's sacking but labelled their response as "second to none".

Rusk took the club's first match since Martin's departure as Saints were knocked out of the Carabao Cup quarter-final with a 2-1 loss to Liverpool.

Promotion-winning boss Martin was sacked just hours after Southampton's 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out in the Premier League.

Rusk insists the Saints players have been professional in their reaction to the news, with less than 72 hours between the two games.

"I think they were reflecting upon the change that took place, I'm sure, as people but ultimately professionals," Rusk said, speaking after the match.

Simon Rusk applauds the fans at full-time (Image: Stuart Martin)

"We just had to prepare for the next game, that's what we all have to do, that's all they know. It's the only way forward - so they were fine.

"I'm sure in the background one or two of them were disappointed but ultimately we have a responsibility at any club to go and try and win the next game.

"The players' commitment level and their receptiveness to how I was working have been second to none this week. Obviously, they were hurting from the other day.

"Without a doubt, they needed some form of leadership and direction but I think it was important for me to understand where the group was at physically and mentally.

"We devised a game plan from there to be very hard to beat and that requires bodies and then be good on the counter.

"There wasn't much time to turn this game around and you can only work on so much, you can't overload them with information when there's change anyway.

"I'm really encouraged by the second half. That's what we have to focus on now. They showed belief in themselves, they showed character and they stood up.

"The fans were behind them as a result and I think hopefully that second half is enough of a catalyst for the guys."

First-half goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott put Arne Slot’s Reds in control of the quarter-final tie before Cameron Archer halved the deficit.

Rusk added: "I think the first half, our priority going into the game was to be hard to beat, given the nature of the game on Sunday.

"I think we probably expected in some way, shape or form that we might not have the footprint in the game we want in the first half.

"I think the priority for us was getting it at half-time and making sure we're in the game as a basic principle and then grow into it."