According to reports in England, Southampton have rejected an offer from Liverpool FC for striker Shane Long, despite their recent signing of Charlie Austin from Queen’s Park Rangers
Southampton could be forgiven for being sick of the sight of Liverpool FC, who have raided the Saints in the past by signing Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Rickie Lambert. Reports in England suggest that the Reds’ initial attempt to prise yet another player away from St.Mary’s has failed, with Ronald Koeman’s side rejecting an approach from Jürgen Klopp for striker Shane Long.
The Saints recently completed the signing of QPR striker Charlie Austin, who shone in the Premier League in 2014-2015 with the Hoops, finding the back of the net 18 times and even earning himself a call-up to the England national team.
English newspaper Daily Mirror reported that despite adding a striker to their ranks, Southampton rebuffed Liverpool FC’s offer for Long, with the Saints very reluctant to let the Republic of Ireland international leave St.Mary’s.
The report suggests that Koeman is more likely to sanction the sale of Italian target-man Graziano Pelle, with the 30-year-old unable to replicate his form from last season in 2015-2016. Liverpool FC are currently facing a striker crisis with Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Divock Origi all out injured, and Christian Benteke increasingly looking like the wrong player for Klopp’s system.
Long would be a useful stop-gap for Liverpool FC
Shane Long will not be the long-term solution to the Reds’ striker issues — presumably the likes of Sturridge, Ings and Origi will recover eventually to play that role — but could play a part in the short to medium term.
The 28-year-old would fit in very well in a Klopp side given his work-rate leading the attack, his pace and movement to get in behind opposition defences, as well as his ability in the air. If Liverpool FC are able to get him for a reasonable amount of money, Long will only help the Reds reach their short-term goals, which still just about includes a finish in the Premier League’s top four spots.
