Southampton undoubtedly have one of the best academies in England, if not Europe, and have consistently managed to produce young talent and develop them into Premier League-quality players.
The Saints also have an exceptional record in the transfer market and have repeatedly scouted cheap, first-team players from less popular leagues such as the Eredivisie, the Scottish Premiership and further afield.
Despite their stable and forward-thinking club structure, Southampton have repeatedly had their star players plucked from their grasp by wealthier and bigger clubs, though.
Even though they have consistently managed to replace these stars through their scouting/analytics system and academy, they have been unable to build upon their existing assets and improve the overall quality of their squad.
As a result, the Saints have an extraordinary list of ex-players, which got me thinking: How could Southampton be lining up tonight vs. Liverpool had they not been forced to let big players go and injuries were removed from the equation?
GK – Fraser Forster
In between the sticks is Southampton’s current goalkeeper, Fraser Forster. The England No.2 has been exceptional since the Saints acquired him from Celtic in the summer of 2014, showing why he was rated so highly in Scotland.
The 28-year-old is consistently improving as he is coming into the peak age for a goalie and is a huge asset for Southampton.
RB – Nathaniel Clyne
In the right-back position is current Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne, who played for Southampton from July of 2012 until mid-2015 before being sold to the Reds for over £15m.
The buccaneering Englishman provides a brilliant option in attack with his positive overlaps down the right wing, resulting in him playing the joint-most key passes in the Premier League (29) of any defender so far this season.
Since moving to Liverpool, he has also become more solid defensively and has been one of the few mainstays in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Southampton also sold Callum Chambers to Arsenal in 2014 for £17m, however, he has found it hard to break into the first-team due to the Gunners’ Spanish wonderkid, Hector Bellerin.
CB – Dejan Lovren
In the first of the centre-back positions is Croatia international Dejan Lovren, who played for the Saints from the summer of 2013 to the summer of 2014 before being shipped off to Liverpool.
When playing for Southampton, Lovren was one of the most reliable defenders in the league and he helped to propel the Saints to an unexpected 8th place finish under the brilliance of Mauricio Pochettino.
However, since joining Liverpool he has not played at the same level consistently and some poor performances have harmed his reputation and confidence.
Nevertheless, the Croatian has played well in recent games, therefore Liverpool fans are beginning to have more faith in him.
CB – Virgil van Dijk
In the second centre-back position is the final existing Southampton player in the team: Virgil van Dijk.
Since joining the club from Celtic in 2013, the Dutchman has developed into one of the best and most underrated defenders in the Premier League.
Van Dijk is an ideal modern centre-back. The 25 year old is comfortable on the ball and boasts a great range of passing, while being exceptional in the air; winning 75% of his headed duels so far this season. He also has a good turn of pace to keep up with quick strikers.
Southampton also had Toby Alderweireld on their books, however, Tottenham’s star man only joined the Saints on loan.
LB – Luke Shaw
Finishing off the defence is Man United’s injury prone left-back Luke Shaw, who joined the Red Devils in 2014 for £32m.
When at Southampton, the England international played exceptionally well and, similar to Clyne, made a name for himself through his swashbuckling runs down the wing; creating 33 chances in his breakout season, when he was just 18.
Since joining Man United, the 21-year-old’s career has been halted by injury problems, nevertheless, when he does play he often looks very comfortable, and was arguably United’s best player before his leg was cruelly broken last term.
DM – Morgan Schneiderlin
In the first central midfield position is Morgan Schneiderlin, who has recently joined Everton from Manchester United.
Schneiderlin played brilliantly for the Saints, dictating the play from the centre of the park; the 27-year-old had 89% pass accuracy in his final two seasons at the club, furthermore, he rarely lost the ball, making no defensive errors.
In Schneiderlin’s first season in Manchester, he impressed in a lacklustre Louis van Gaal side, where his main responsibility was to pass the ball sidewards or backwards. However when Jose Mourinho joined the Red Devils he played very few minutes, with Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Michael Carrick and Juan Mata all higher up in the pecking order.
As a result, the defensive midfielder left this January to join Everton for a £22m and could create a scintillating partnership with box-to-box midfielder Idrissa Gueye.
DM – Victor Wanyama
In the second central midfield position is Victor Wanyama, who joined Spurs in July 2016 for around £12m.
The Kenya International was at Southampton between 2013 and 2016 and was crucial to their success in the middle of the pitch. He joined former manager Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs in the summer and has been central to their good play ever since.
The 25-year-old uses his physical presence to impose himself upon games and has formed a sublime partnership with Mousa Dembele.
Since reuniting with Pochettino, Wanyama has also improved his ability on the ball with his passing accuracy improving massively; from 82% last season to 88% this season.
RM – Gareth Bale
In the right wing position is the world’s second most expensive player, Gareth Bale, who left Southampton to join Spurs in 2007 for £12m before heading Real Madrid for £85m in 2013.
When the Welsh talisman left the Southampton he was playing as a left-back and despite his promise, was never tipped to become a world beater. Nevertheless, after joining Spurs he matured into an electric winger and a consistent goalscorer.
As a result of his world-class performances at Spurs, the now 27-year-old was snapped up by Real Madrid for a staggering £85m.
At the Spanish giants, Bale has continued to score goals and has added an ariel presence to his game. In the future, Bale is touted to be a Ballon d’Or winner and take the mantle from Cristiano Ronaldo as the focal point of Real’s attack.
CAM – Adam Lallana
In the central attacking midfield position is Adam Lallana, who left for Liverpool in July 2014 for £26m.
The England international was at his creative best in his final two seasons at the Saints; scoring twelve goals and registering ten assists.
The 28-year-old is also extremely versatile and can play on either wing, as well as being hard working and industrious when out of possession.
As a result Liverpool decided to snap him up, and after a couple of stop/start seasons, Lallana is flying under Klopp. Sitting behind a fluid front three, he has picked up seven goals and seven assists in 19 appearances this season and is crucial to Klopp’s Liverpool side, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League.
LW – Sadio Mane
In the left wing position is Liverpool winger Sadio Mane who joined the Merseyside club last summer for £35m.
The Senegal International is an industrious presser out of possession and brilliant with the ball at his feet, using his electrifying pace and exceptional skill to beat defenders.
The 24-year-old joined Southampton in September of 2014 from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of £12.75m, and at St Mary’s he impressed in the right wing position, as well as a secondary striker.
In his final season at the Saints he scored eleven goals and recorded six assists, linking up exceptionally well with the likes of Dusan Tadic.
ST – Graziano Pelle
In the striker position is Graziano Pelle, who was sold to Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League for a reported fee of £13m.
The Italy International is physical and good in the air, however, also surprisingly technically gifted for someone of his size (6ft. 4″). The 31-year-old scored over ten Premier League goals in both of his seasons at the Saints.
As a result Shandong Luneng came calling and Pelle couldn’t turn down the opportunity to play in the Chinese Super League, where his wages are estimated to be eye-wateringly high.
