Liverpool would have been better off buying Southampton than splashing £170m on six stars, like Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk

Dave Fraser

Published: 15:05, 11 Feb 2018

LIVERPOOL would have been better off simply buying Southampton Football Club, rather than splashing £175million on six stars over the years.

The Reds take on Saints on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League - with a hatful of ex-St Mary's players set to line-up for Jurgen Klopp's men.

A number of ex-Southampton stars could line-up for Liverpool on Sunday, including Adam Lallana and Sadio ManeCredit: Getty

Amazingly, Southampton sold 80 per cent of the club to Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng for just £210m last summer... a fraction more than the Reds' recent signings.

In recent seasons, the Reds have raided Southampton for stars including Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk.

Rickie Lambert and Nathaniel Clyne are just two other big-names to swap St Mary's for Anfield - for a bill totalling around £170m.

Incredibly, an 80 per cent stake in the club - and all the players that fall within it - cost a mere £35m more... roughly the cost of Mane's move north.

Liverpool could have almost afforded Southampton FC in total for the cost of signing six players from Saints in recent seasonsCredit: PA:Press Association

Gao Jisheng bought 80 per cent of Southampton FC for £210m last summerCredit: AFP

The club as a whole, based on those figures, would cost closer to £260m - or perhaps more since the recent TV deal was signed.

With Liverpool using Southampton like a feeder club, we take a look at the players signed in recent years and rated their life at Anfield out of ten...

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RICKIE LAMBERT- £4m

Rickie Lambert was one of the first Southampton players to head to AnfieldCredit: PA:Empics Sport

The first of the recent movers, Lambert "fulfilled a lifelong dream" in signing for Liverpool, in a £4m deal.

However, the ex-England man never really fired on all cylinders at the Reds, scoring twice in 25 Premier League appearances.

Rating: 3/10

ADAM LALLANA - £25m

Adam Lallana is one of six stars to swap Saints for Liverpool in recent yearsCredit: Getty

Despite being surrounded by stars including Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah in recent years, Lallana has forever been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance at the Reds, the England man is all-too-often injured, blighting an otherwise strong career at Anfield.

Rating: 7/10

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DEJAN LOVREN - £20m

Dejan Lovren has endured a mixed career at Liverpool since leaving St Mary'sCredit: Reuters

So often the scapegoat, the error-prone centre-back was an absolute rock for Southampton.

While he has often faltered at Liverpool, he is also regularly one of Liverpool's best players, copping the flak somewhat harshly at times...

Rating: 6/10

NATHANIEL CLYNE - £12.5m

Nathaniel Clyne has been Mr Consistent for Liverpool when fit in recent yearsCredit: Rex Features

Another ex-Saints star on the books of Liverpool persistently stuck on the sidelines through injury.

Despite being out all season so far, Clyne has for so long been the Reds' best defender.

Rating: 8/10

Has Virgil van Dijk actually improved Liverpool's defence since his £75m move?

Liverpool would have been better off buying Southampton than splashing £170m on six stars, like Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk