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Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana says he regrets how he secured a transfer away from Southampton last season, as he prepares for his first return to St Mary’s Stadium this weekend. According to Soccernet, Lallana, who had been at Saints for the previous 12 years and helped their rise from League One into the Premier League, left under a cloud as he made it clear to the club that he immediately wanted to move to Anfield when made aware of their interest. The 26-year-old took out a full page advert in a newspaper thanking Southampton fans after he secured his 25 million pound move, but the gesture was not well received by some on the south coast and he has conceded the manner of his exit could have been better handled. “I’m not stupid enough to think the way I left didn’t leave a sour taste in a few people’s mouths,” Lallana told the BBC. “The way I left I regret, I regret bits and pieces of how it happened and it got nasty...

Mario Balotelli must still improve his work rate to start for Liverpool, according to manager Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers warned Mario Balotelli he needed to improve his work rate to get back into the starting line-up. The Italian has found some goalscoring form recently, netting the winners in Liverpool's victories over Tottenham and Besiktas. Both times Balotelli came off the bench to be Liverpool's hero, although some controversy surrounded whether he should have taken the penalty against Besiktas. Rodgers said he was "not really" happy with Balotelli's performance, insisting he wanted to see more from the 24-year-old. “We need to ensure that whatever level of the game we are playing at we have everyone working as a team and once we get the penalty, Mario stops working," he said. "So he needs to improve on that facet of his game to play in his position, rather than standing on the side of the football field...

The Southampton manager has admitted his side will go out to win the encounter at St Mary’s, which would be a blow to the Reds Liverpool have gotten back to top form over recent months, with Brendan Rodgers’ men firmly in the hunt for a top four finish and making progress in the FA Cup and Europa League. The Merseysiders beat top-four rivals Tottenham in their last Premier League game and will face another consider challenge this weekend as they travel to Southampton. The Saints are currently in fourth place, four points ahead of the Merseysiders in the battle for qualification for next season’s Champions League. Ronald Koeman has admitted that his team will go out to win tomorrow’s clash, which would be a major blow for Liverpool if it comes to fruition. “Do you think I’m thinking about losing a game? No way,” Koeman stated in yesterday’s press conference, published in The Guardian. “I’m thinking about w...

Adam Lallana was the hero as Liverpool banished their Selhurst Park demons and booked a place in the quarter- finals of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Brendan Rodgers’ men suffered a chastening 3-1 loss in south-east London earlier this season and the hosts suggested a repeat when Fraizer Campbell gave them a 15th-minute lead. But Liverpool had only lost twice in 21 games across all competitions since that reverse last November and they brushed off a frustrating first half when Daniel Sturridge equalised with a fine volley after 49 minutes. And Lallana scored decisively when a free- kick from substitute Mario Balotelli shortly before the hour proved too hot for Julian Speroni to handle, ensuring Palace could not muster a repeat of their famous semi-final triumph over the same opponents 25 years ago. Dwight Gayle came off the bench to score twice in the dramatic 3-3 draw that dealt a decisive blow to Liverpool’s Premier Le...

Sterling’s fifth league goal of the season early in the second half set the Reds on the way to a win that lifted them above West Ham in the table. But as inspirational as the young striker was, this game will be remembered most for the long-awaited return of striker Sturridge after almost five months on the sidelines. The England star had only been on the pitch for 13 minutes when he made sure of the points with his second goal of the season. Boss Brendan Rodgers could not hide his joy at the sight of Sturridge wheeling away after hitting the net again and said: “I know he is excited to be coming back into this team. “It was nice for him to score. He has obviously been out a long time and has had to work very hard. “But when he is in that area of the field he looks dangerous. It was a great first touch and a wonderful finish. Source daily star

Brendan Rodgers has warned Mario Balotelli that he must earn back his place in the Liverpool first-team on merit. The striker has not featured for the Reds since 10 January due to illness but is now understood to be available for selection once again. The Italy international has struggled to find consistent form for Liverpool since joining the Merseyside club from AC Milan in a £16m deal last summer. He is yet to find the net in the Premier League despite making 12 appearances in the top flight this term. And Rodgers has told Balotelli that only hard work will guarantee him a place in the Reds’ starting line-up. “I am judging it every day in training – Mario is exactly the same as every other player, there is no special treatment for anyone.