OPINION
In recent years Southampton to Liverpool has been a road well travelled. From Anfield flops like Rickie Lambert to Merseyside heroes of the Sadio Mane variety, many footballers have swapped the South Coast for the North West of England.
Another Saints star Liverpool should be – and probably are – tracking is wing back Yan Valery, who has taken the Premier League by storm since becoming a key man under new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The 20-year-old is a fantastic talent, still a little raw, but someone who would undoubtedly improve under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp. He has, as we saw against Manchester United on Saturday, wonderful goalscoring ability as well.
Obviously the Reds are well set at right back with Trent Alexander-Arnold in place moving forward, but signing Valery would ensure the club don’t repeat a major January blunder.
With Joe Gomez already out injured Klopp made the decision to loan out right back Nathaniel Clyne. Alexander-Arnold subsequently picked up an injury himself and suddenly Liverpool were forced to start midfielder James Milner at right back.
Brigning Valery in would serve as a safeguard against that sort of situation occurring again, while providing Alexander-Arnold with some young, hungry competition for his starting place.
Gomez, although adept at right back, is a centre back at heart and must be played there moving forward. Clyne, on the other hand, seems rather unlikely to remain at Anfield for much longer.
Someone like Valery would be the perfect back up to the England international. He is a proven Premier League performer who is only going to get better moving forward. He and his fellow youngster Alexander-Arnold would be battling for a starting spot, pushing each other to improve every day in training.
The Frenchman is unlikely to cost the Southampton premium which has been evident for Liverpool in recent years, too. Transfermarkt currently value him at just £2.25million. He would likely cost a little more than that, but that sort of sum is still a snip for the Reds.
This is a no-brainer of a summer move that would help ensure this year’s mistakes are not repeated in the future.
