Southampton to Liverpool: How have they fared?

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 02 July 2015

Following Nathaniel Clyne's move to Liverpool, Sports Mole looks at how three other former Southampton players have performed at Anfield.

After much speculation, yesterday afternoon Nathaniel Clyne's transfer to Liverpool was finalised.

In making the move, the right-back has become the fourth Southampton player to have arrived at Anfield within the last 12 months.

The other three all made the switch from the St Mary's Stadium last summer for a combined total of £50m and as Clyne prepares for life on Merseyside, Sports Mole has taken a look at how that trio performed during the 2014-15 campaign.

Dejan Lovren

Liverpool's Croatian defender Dejan Lovren celebrates scoring his team's second goal in the League Cup Fourth Round football match against Swansea City on November 13, 2014 © Getty Images

Appearances: 38 Goals: 1

In truth, there were not many better centre-backs in the Premier League during the 2013-14 season than Lovren, who had joined the Saints from Lyon for around £8.5m. It meant that while the reported £20m that Liverpool shelled out to sign the Croatian was viewed as a little on the excessive side, the general opinion was that the Reds had recruited a player that was certain to shore up their leaky defence.

Yet, Lovren was unable to carry his form from the South Coast up to Merseyside. In a struggling side early in the campaign, it seemed that the centre-back was identified by opposition as the weakest link. The watershed moment came during a 3-1 defeat away at Crystal Palace in November – a display that saw Lovren replaced by an ageing Kolo Toure. He never truly regained his place after that and when he did feature, the 25-year-old looked less than comfortable in Brendan Rodgers's three-man rearguard.

Hit or Miss? Miss

Adam Lallana

Liverpool's English midfielder Adam Lallana celebrates after scoring their second goal to take the lead 2-1 during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on February 14, 2015 © Getty Images

Appearances: 41 Goals: 6

The playmaker was a near ever-present during his final season with Southampton, but much to his frustration, a succession of injuries prevented Lallana from having a prolonged run in the Liverpool team. He picked up a knee problem during pre-season training, which delayed his debut for his new club until September.

Despite the setbacks, Lallana still made some promising contributions, even if he wasn't as effective as he had been in Southampton colours. There was signs that an understanding was being forged with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and if Daniel Sturridge can shake off his own injury issues next term, he is sure to benefit from Lallana's eye for a pass.

Hit or Miss? Hit

Rickie Lambert

Rickie Lambert of Liverpool gestures during the pre season friendly match between Preston North End and Liverpool at Deepdale on July 19, 2014 © Getty Images

Appearances: 36 Goals: 3

Born in Kirkby, Lambert grew up as a Liverpool fan and joined the club's academy as a youngster, only to be released at the age of 15. His employment at a beetroot factory after that has been well documented, but to his credit, the centre-forward refused to give up on his dream of playing for the Reds. After a season in which he scored 13 Premier League goals for Southampton, Rodgers came calling.

However, the fairytale story turned into a bit of a nightmare for Lambert. His 36 appearances are slightly misleading, given that many of those come from the bench. It appeared that Rodgers was reluctant to use the England man, even on occasions when there were only a few minutes remaining and his side were trailing. In total, he found the net just three times - twice in the Premier League and once in the Champions League. With a goal return like that, plus the arrival of Roberto Firmino and perhaps another striker joining, Lambert's days as a Liverpool player look numbered.

Hit or Miss: Miss