West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui says victory at Southampton is an ideal lead-in for their clash with Liverpool. Lopetegui drew a lot of positives from the performance at St Mary's.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has praised the "strong mentality" of his squad as his side prepare to host Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. The Hammers will take on the Premier League without suspended duo Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez.

West Ham United are among Premier League clubs showing interest in Real Sociedad attacker Brais Mendez ahead of the January transfer window.

Lopetegui said, "To be afraid? No, afraid no. We have big respect for all the teams, but we have the same respect for Southampton, for Liverpool and all of them. "We are talking about the best team in the Premier League. Top players, very good coach, they are now in the height but we have to believe in us, in our strength and in our possibility."