There’s been a running theme among Southampton players in recent transfer windows.
You know what it is, we know what it is, even Claude Puel surely knows what it is.
Last summer, Sadio Mané joined Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren in trading the south coast for Merseyside, while Rickie Lambert also made the move before his Anfield spell was cut short.
So, when Manolo Gabbiadini struck twice for Puel’s team to bring them back from a 2-0 deficit in the EFL Cup Final, you just knew what would follow.
WHAT A GOAL! Gabbiadini with a sublime finish. Man United 2-2 Southampton. EFL Cup final is live on Sky Sports 1 now https://t.co/o54nVjgYRz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 26, 2017
The goals were Gabbiadini’s fourth and fifth in a Southampton shirt – not bad, seeing as it was only his third game for the club – so it’s perhaps no surprise that the internet might link him with a Liverpool squad without a lethal orthodox striker.
Wonder what the odds are for Gabbiadini being a Liverpool player in 2 years time. #EFLCupFinal
— Joel (@JoelPage_11) February 26, 2017
How long before Liverpool try to sign Gabbiadini from Southampton? #MUNSOU #EFLCupFinal
— Johnny Slack (@Johnny_Slack) February 26, 2017
Cannot wait to see Gabbiadini in a Liverpool top next year 😂 #LFC
— Marco Pelosi (@Baggsy22) February 26, 2017
Gabbiadini impressing on his Liverpool trial. #EFLCupFinal
— James Miller (@JamesMiller93) February 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/SBNRenato/status/835910700593790978
And the former Napoli man wasn’t the only Saints player to attract the theoretical attention of Jürgen Klopp.
Jack Stephens impressed at centre-back after a shaky start, and the England Under-21 man has been earmarked as a replacement for Lovren. Only by random people on the internet, mind you.
Elsewhere, Liverpool aren’t even lacking when it comes to attacking midfielders, but some people seem convinced they’d be able to find a place for Nathan Redmond.
Jack Stephens will surely become Liverpool player soon
— Krishy B (@KrishyB_) February 26, 2017
Redmond will be Liverpool's next signing from Southampton
— John Gotti (@JCourier1) February 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/ScottyHall3_/status/835909261830012928
https://twitter.com/awright133/status/835909353836265473
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live