As Liverpool close in on the signing of Nathaniel Clyne, taking the club’s outlay on four players from Southampton to almost £60 million in 12 months, Press Association Sport looks at how the others have fared.
ADAM LALLANA, £23 MILLION
The England international fared the best of last season’s trio who made the move to Anfield, although that is to be damned by faint praise.
Lallana was dogged by niggling injuries which interrupted his full integration into the team but showed enough clever touches and insight to suggest with a full pre-season behind him he can be a success.
6/10
DEJAN LOVREN, £20 MILLION
Touted as the answer to Liverpool’s perceived weakness at centre-back, the Croatia international proved nothing of the sort.
Parachuted straight into the side, he struggled to impose himself and was dropped by November having publicly admitted he was not used to the responsibility of leadership – which is exactly why manager Brendan Rodgers bought him.
Found his way back into the side later in the season after injury to others but still has much convincing to do.
4/10
RICKIE LAMBERT, £4 MILLION
Billed as a fairytale return to the club who released him as a trainee, Lambert’s season quickly became a nightmare.
Supposedly bought as an option off the bench he was used sporadically and did not seem to fit with the team’s style of play.
The situation deteriorated so much he was the subject of a January bid from Aston Villa which the club accepted but the player turned down.
Not entirely the player’s fault but Lambert no longer has a future at the club.
3/10
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