Liverpool went through a spell of plucking the best talent Southampton had to offer and bringing them to Anfield – but former Saints man Shane Long believes one modern day Reds legend was ‘horrendous’ at first glance.
Retired striker Shane Long played for Southampton from 2014 to 2022, scoring 37 goals in 245 appearances.
Over the years, several Saints players made their way to Liverpool. Adam Lallana was the first, transferring for a reported £25 million in the summer of 2014, followed by striker Rickie Lambert, who joined his childhood club for £4 million.
The following year, right-back Nathaniel Clyne also moved to Anfield for £12.5 million.
In early 2018, Liverpool set a world record for a defender by signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for £75 million. This investment has proven worthwhile, as the former Celtic player has established himself as one of the top central defenders globally.
Additionally, Sadio Mane’s impact after joining Liverpool is also memorable.
Sadio Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton in the summer of 2016 for an initial fee of £34 million, quickly becoming part of a renowned attacking trio alongside Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino that drove the club’s success under Jurgen Klopp.
During his time at Liverpool, Mane scored 120 goals in 269 matches and won several trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. He left Liverpool in 2022 to join Bayern Munich and now plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League after a brief stint in the Bundesliga.
Initially, Shane Long was skeptical about Mane when he first arrived at Southampton, calling him “horrendous.” However, he acknowledged that under then-manager Ronald Koeman’s guidance, Mane improved significantly. Long described Mane’s early struggles but also recognized his potential, saying, “He had these moments where you thought, ‘Oh, he’s got something’.”
Long noted that while Mane had issues with his crossing, Koeman’s coaching helped him find his form, leading Long to believe Mane was destined for greatness.
