Liverpool really love Southampton players, don’t they? In the last few years, Southampton have been the breeding ground for some of the biggest talents in the Premier League and also the hunting ground for the bigger clubs. Manchester United and Arsenal have also made raids on the Saints but Liverpool have signed as many five players from the South Coast in the last three years.
The Reds have signed Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and most recently Sadio Mane from Southampton in the last three years and it seems like they are all set to use their Southampton loyalty card once again. The Daily Mirror claims that Liverpool are monitoring the situation of Southampton youngster Sam McQueen.
The same report claims that the Reds are unlikely to pursue a move for the defender until the summer, when he becomes a free agent, after failing to agree on a new contract with the South Coast club. Even if the Englishman arrives at Anfield on a free transfer, Southampton will be obliged to get a hefty tribunal fee for the 21-year-old.
Southampton have produced some amazing talents over the years like Gareth Bale, Adam Lallana, Theo Walcott, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sam McQueen seems like the next big thing coming out of their famed academy. The youngster has been on the books of the club since he was eight and has forced his way into Claude Puel’s first-team plans this season during an injury crisis at the back.
The highly-rated wideman made his debut for Southampton as a teenager back in 2014 against Sunderland as a substitute replacing then club captain Adam Lallana. Then, he gained experience last season on loan at Southend, featuring 18 times for the Shrimpers. The youngster’s big break came this season when both Ryan Bertrand and Matt Targett were down with injuries.
McQueen has made six first-team appearances for Southampton this season, every time as a left-back but his primary position has always been on the left flank. However, the 21-year-old has shown a good defensive awareness and also a hunger to go forward. The Englishman has one assist to his name from six games this season which shows how good he is with his deliveries.
Well, one could easily see that Liverpool are in a dire need of a quality left-back in the long run. James Milner has done really well as a makeshift left-back but that cannot go on for a long time.
Alberto Moreno is defensively vulnerable as well and Klopp simply doesn’t trust the player. But, is a player like McQueen who neither has a good amount of experience nor is a full-back by trade, the solution to their woes at left-back? I would say a big NO! If Liverpool goes for a left-back, they should go for an experienced and natural left-back who is solid on either end of the pitch, unlike McQueen.
