Ranking the top 3 Liverpool signings from Southampton

Liverpool play Southampton at Anfield in a day, so it is only fair that we talk about all of the signings the Reds have made at the expense of the Saints. Over the years, Southampton has built themselves to become a solid mid-table Premier League club. We saw many players grace the Premier League and flourish for the Saints. However, further progress could not be achieved if you do not keep hold of your best players. That is what happened. Some of the bigger clubs have raided the poor Saints to take them far away from the time they went to Europe.

Without any shadow of a doubt, the club that has bought the most from Southampton has been Liverpool. Ever since the Saints enjoyed a stellar season in 2013-14, the Reds have signed someone or the other from them every season, with the exception of this one. Brendan Rodgers was a big fan, returning to the Saints time and time again to try and strengthen his Reds squad post title bid and Luis Suarez. Liverpool has had mixed success with their Southampton signings, with the players ranging from world-class to serviceable, to inconsistent, to injury prone.

Like pretty much everything at the club, the impact of Liverpool's signings from Southampton improved massively when Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield. The likes of Lovren, Lallana and Clyne played a big role in the Reds’ rise to the Europa League final in 2016. Klopp himself shopped at St Mary's for some big money signings for his raging Reds. It has become somewhat of a joke, the fact that Liverpool has spent a large amount of money on Southampton players. However, with the quality plucked by the Reds, who could blame them? Here are three of Liverpool's best signings from Southampton in the Premier League era.

#3 Virgil van Dijk (2018)

In about a year or two, Virgil van Dijk could possibly be on top of this list. The fact that he has made this list despite only being at the club for less than a year speaks volumes about the positive impact he has had on the Reds. The big Dutchman signed for Liverpool in the January transfer window last season after a long and agonising saga over the summer. Liverpool were accused of tapping the defender up in hopes of getting him to join the club and Southampton called them out on it. The Reds decided to end their pursuit of van Dijk for the time being. Jurgen Klopp was urged to go for another alternative, but he persisted and went in for him again in the winter.

Klopp has a habit of being extremely stubborn with his transfers. He has a set list of players and will do anything to get them to Anfield. Now we know why he is so stubborn. Liverpool got their man for a world record for a defender, of £75 million. van Dijk hit the ground running immediately, as he scored the winning goal on his debut in the Merseyside derby. Since then, Liverpool's defence has improved a great deal. He possesses a certain calmness and vocality that the Reds have not had for years. The Dutchman brought out the best in all of his fellow Liverpool defenders. The midfield, while not as creative after the departure of Coutinho, was massively improved following van Dijk's arrival. He has that leadership quality that will take him very far in football.

van Dijk is now the captain of the Netherlands national team, as they are looking to put the last four years behind them. This is a challenge he will relish, as he always does. He played a pivotal role as the Reds reached the Champions League final last season. He can do no wrong at the moment. Liverpool have been extremely solid at the back so far this season. Most of it is down to the excellent partnership van Dijk has forged with Joe Gomez. He really does get the best out of his teammates. While £75 million seemed a bit much at first, it could turn out to be a bargain for one of the best defenders in world football today. If this Liverpool team are to achieve any success, it will be down to Virgil van Dijk.

#2 Peter Crouch (2005)

This is bucking the trend, as Peter Crouch joined Liverpool from Southampton before it really became a thing. The Saints got relegated in 2004-05, but Crouch was a constant menace for opposition defences. After scoring twelve goals for them, the English national arrived at Anfield. However, the start of his Liverpool career was a bit nightmarish. Despite being a constant threat, Crouch failed to score in his first 19 games for the club. He even missed a penalty, that's how out of luck he was. After months, the big man finally scored his first Liverpool goal, against Wigan Athletic. A looping deflection over the goalkeeper. Crouch would add another goal that day.

Since then, he has been remarkably dangerous and consistent for Liverpool. Crouch even starred for England at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The 2006-07 season was one of the memorable ones of his long career, as he helped take Liverpool to the Champions League final. Crouch scored a bucket load of big goals for the Reds, including two Earth-shattering overhead kicks against Galatasaray and Bolton Wanderers. The Englishman scored seven goals on the road to Athens, including two during the quarter-final tie against PSV Eindhoven. A big game player he was. His perfect hat-trick against Arsenal will also never be forgotten by Reds fans.

His scoring record in the Champions League was immense, as he came up big in the Reds’ resurgence in the 2007-08 group stage with goals against Besiktas and Porto. Crouch was also an incredibly fun person to be around, as many fans would find out upon reading his recently released autobiography. He would go on to enjoy a steady spell in the Premier League with the likes of Tottenham, Portsmouth and Stoke City, enjoying some Champions League football with the former. Peter Crouch was a well-liked figure wherever he went, but his best years as a footballer would likely be the three he spent at Anfield.

#1 Sadio Mane (2016)

This man honestly needs no introduction. The pacy and prolific wide-man is Liverpool's best buy from Southampton, as things stand. Sadio Mane was the first summer signing for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and was the subject of many doubts regarding him joining the club. He had been a massive thorn in Liverpool's side in the past and showed why Klopp was right in going for him. Mane caught on immediately with an unbelievable solo run and goal on his Reds debut against Arsenal, at the Emirates. He became such an important player for Liverpool, probably their best.

The rest of the 2016-17 season saw Mane come up with big goals at crucial times, particularly a 94th-minute winner at Everton. The Senegalese forward's absence due to the African Cup of Nations sparked an incredible downturn in performances from the Reds. Without Mane, Klopp's men fell out of the title race in a month. Liverpool hobbled over the line in fourth place when Mane was ruled out for the last two months of the season. Some of the burden he carried was lifted with the arrival of Mohamed Salah from Roma. The Egyptian blew everyone away last season, but it was Mane who was the silent killer. Salah and Roberto Firmino have often received the plaudits, but Mane is equally as important to Liverpool, if not more so.

Despite suffering an incredible decline following his red card at Manchester City last season, Mane recovered and ended the season brilliantly. He was always up for a stunner. He also scored in every round of the Champions League last season, upon scoring for Liverpool against Real Madrid in Kiev. After a brilliant start to this season, Mane will continue to make a bigger name for himself. He absolutely should be considered as one of the best wingers in the world today. Boasting an incredible front three of players who are capable of anything, Sadio Mane is the man to watch out for.

Edited by Sripad