As Liverpool have announced the signing of Sadio Mane from Southampton, there has been some fans bemoaning the fact that the Reds have taken yet another player from the South Coast.
However, have the players we’ve taken from the Saints been that bad? I’ve taken a look to see how our former recruits from Southampton has fared in a Liverpool shirt.
Rickie Lambert
The current West Brom player was 32-years-old when Liverpool decided to bring him in for £4million, after he netted 13 times in 37 games in the league with the Saints.
Rickie was brought in as an in and out striker who was not to be relied heavily on, but it did not work out that way with the man from Kirkby ending up being played on 25 occasions due to the poor performances of Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli, and injuries to Daniel Sturridge.
It was bad season for the Reds as well as Rickie as he scored just twice in the whole season. It also meant that Lambert was to join West Brom in a £3 million deal the following summer.
Although saddening, it was good to see Lambert fulfilling his boyhood dream of playing for Liverpool.
Rating: 1.5/5
Adam Lallana
Just like Lambert, Lallana was brought in from Southampton after a terrific season with the Saints; one which saw him named in the PFA team of the season.
Liverpool had a reported £25 million bid accepted, making him the club’s new number 20. The England international made 41 appearances and scored six goals in the 2014/15 season where he had mixed reviews and inconsistent performances, but never seemed in danger of leaving Liverpool.
The following season, Lallana started off with goals in the Europa League against Bordeaux and Sion. He was still, however, in and out of the starting eleven under Brendan Rodgers.
When Jurgen Klopp arrived, Lallana was played on a regular basis and was crucial in securing places in the finals of both the Europa League and League Cup. He managed to find the net on seven occasions in what was a decent season for him and Liverpool.
His style of play excites the fans, who can expect to see more of him next season.
Rating: 4/5
Dejan Lovren
Lovren was brought into Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers in a £20million deal, making him the Reds’ most expensive defender ever. The Croat submitted a transfer request after one season at St Mary’s in order to push through a move to Anfield.
Lovren scored on his non-competitive debut for the Reds against Klopp’s Dortmund and immediately had some drawing comparisons with Jamie Carrragher as a vocal defender.
However, those comparisons were laid to rest with Lovren being droppped from the first team with dismal performances and costly errors that made the Reds miss out on the top four and exit the Europa League, where he missed the decisive penalty kick in the shootout that saw them lose to Besiktas.
Brendan Rodgers decided to keep him for the 2015/16 season which saw him carry the same form from the previous season and lead him to be dropped again.
Injuries to the back four meant that Lovren was brought back into defence by Klopp and his performances drastically improved as he forged a strong partnership with Mamadou Sakho.
Lovren was a rejuvenated figure and began to justify his price tag. Our only hope is that Lovren can continue with his strong form and make Liverpool contenders next season.
Rating: 4/5
Nathaniel Clyne
With Glen Johnson joining Stoke City, Liverpool shelved into there resources with a bargain £12.5million deal being agreed with Southampton. Clyne immediately started as Liverpool’s first choice right back with strong impressive displays throughout the season.
With competition in the right-back department was weak, Clyne played in a resounding 52 games, scoring twice and only making one defensive error in what was a great season for the Englishman.
Rating: 4.5/5
We can only hope for the best with Mane incoming. Will he turn out like Lambert or will he deliver great performances like Clyne? Time will only tell. Hopefully it’s the latter.
