The soundbites were positive on Luis Suarez’s departure this time last year: Liverpool would be reinvesting the millions they received from Barcelona and their assault for Premier League glory would continue unabated.
Suarez himself was irreplaceable. Steven Gerrard admitted as much in an interview with BT Sport this week. Regardless, the money swelling into the Anfield coffers meant they were capable of strengthening in areas where they had been let down in season previous.
Gerrard referenced slipping up against lesser teams in the 2013-14 campaign as to the reason why they were pipped to the title by Manchester City. The defeat away at Hull City springs to mind. So too when Southampton rocked up on Merseyside in the September and won 1-0.
Nathaniel Clyne's imminent £12.5million move means Liverpool have spent £61.5m on Southampton players
Liverpool set about reinvesting the £75m they received for Luis Suarez from Barcelona last summer
The scorer that day, Dejan Lovren, was one of a trio who swapped the south coast for the north-west. Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert were also moved through the Melwood doors, with Nathaniel Clyne the next to join them after Liverpool agreed a £10.5million deal – plus £2m in additional clauses – on Thursday.
That means their cash spent on four Saints players in 12 months stands at £61.5m, with the general consensus being that the expenditure hasn’t yet paid off - they were way behind Chelsea’s chasing pack last season. Sportsmail takes a look at the Southampton story and wonders whether the quartet will be mentioned in the same breath as Liverpool’s ill-thought post-2002 World Cup signings. Think El-Hadji Diouf. Think Salif Diao.
DEJAN LOVREN (£20million, July 2014)
Endured a horrendous start to his career at Liverpool. By December he’d already make two mistakes directly leading to goals and was heavily blamed after the humiliating 3-0 defeat away at Manchester United, after which Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville tore the back four, Lovren in particular, to shreds.
But it wasn’t so much clangers, but a weakness and fragility when pulling on a red shirt that proved very troubling indeed.
Carragher pointed out last summer that his small errors for Southampton were swept under the carpet prior to the move, and they were magnified on the grander stage. Lovren needed to be coached through games, looked a shrinking violet and lost the serious presence when playing under Mauricio Pochettino.
The Croat's performances have improved since the turn of the year and he faces a boom or bust campaign under Brendan Rodgers.
Dejan Lovren pictured missing a penalty during Liverpool's Europa League defeat away at Besiktas
Lovren (centre) wasn't the commanding authority at Liverpool as he was for Southampton
ADAM LALLANA (£25million, July 2014)
A sparkling individual in possession and an extremely clever executer of runs into pockets of space, Lallana should be in a position to kick on at Anfield come August.
Never hit the heady heights of Southampton during his first year at Liverpool, but it should not be overlooked that the burden of attacking responsibility on his shoulders was sizeable – particularly when the chips were down.
The price tag was inflated given his nationality, which also served to heap pressure on the midfielder, but his tenacity in and out of possession made him a hit – even if he didn’t score enough goals. Their summer additions should only help Lallana flourish.
Adam Lallana added the sort of spark going forward that Liverpool craved post-Suarez
The £25m midfielder celebrates after netting against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup in February
RICKIE LAMBERT (£4million, June 2014)
The warning signs were there when, while on international duty with England, Lambert was interviewed on television with a genuine look on shock after the switch to his boyhood club. Perhaps he was overawed by the magnitude of public attention – it was the first major move of that transfer window – but he was a rabbit in the headlights.
That was no different on the pitch, Lambert was ultimately used purely as a target man late on in games and when chasing a goal. Two Premier League goals later and Rodgers would be best served cutting his losses and moving the veteran striker on.
Even given the dismal season, there will be top-flight sides who would take a punt.
Rickie Lambert scored two Premier League goals for Liverpool (pictured against Aston Villa)
But this was a familiar sight for Liverpool fans, Lambert with his head in his hands after a miss
NATHANIEL CLYNE (£12.5million, June 2015)
Liverpool’s relationship with Glen Johnson had deteriorated as such that he was always highly unlikely to remain beyond the end of his contract. In Clyne they have a ready-made replacement who will bring a tangible improvement – something missing during last year’s dealings.
The statistics back this up as well.
Clyne (pictured marauding down the right wing away at Tottenham) will be an improvement at full back
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