da winzada777： Southampton will look to cement their spot in the top half of the Premier League when they face Champions League qualification hopefuls Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
da dobrowin： Saints looked set to challenge West Bromwich Albion for eight positions after picking up seven points in a week last month but after taking just the solitary point – in a goalless draw against Hull City at St Mary’s last weekend – from a possible nine since, their place in the top 10 is in doubt.
Claude Puel’s men will be confident of picking up a positive result on Merseyside as they are unbeaten against Jurgen Klopp’s men in three meetings this term – including wins in both legs of their EFL Cup semi-final tie.
The Reds have become renowned for signing Saints’ top stars over the course of the past few summers – with Sadio Mane the latest man to make the move last year – but perhaps it is time that the south coast outfit reversed roles and targeted some of their players instead.
Here are THREE Liverpool players Southampton should look to sign this summer…
Mamadou Sakho
With Saints skipper Virgil van Dijk continuing to be linked with a £50m move away from St Mary’s, Martin Caceres looking likely to leave the club in the summer following the end of his short-term spell and having brought in no replacement for Jose Fonte, one of Claude Puel’s priorities could be to sign a new centre-back.
The French manager was linked with a move for Sakho during the January transfer window before the Reds defender eventually joined Crystal Palace on loan, but following some impressive performances for the Eagles, Puel could try again this summer.
Danny Ings
With the futures of Shane Long and Jay Rodriguez looking to be uncertain this summer after they have struggled to get a consistent run in the team this season, Claude Puel could be looking for a new forward to support Manolo Gabbiadini next term.
Despite suffering two long-term injuries during his time at Anfield, Winchester-born Ings has shown when he has been on the pitch that he can be a threat and perhaps he could make a new start at St Mary’s if Jurgen Klopp decides there is now future for the attacker on Merseyside.
Lazar Markovic
Having struggled to break into the first team at Anfield following a move from Benfica in 2014, the Serbian winger has subsequently spent time out on loan at Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon and now Hull City.
The 23-year-old has impressed for the latter to help them go from certain relegation candidates to lying two points above the bottom three, and he is proving that he can have a long-term future in the Premier League.
It is unlikely to be on Merseyside, but Markovic is the typical profile of signing for Southampton and he could link up with compatriot Dusan Tadic at St Mary’s.
Markovic is rated at £8.5m by transfermarkt.com.
Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.