LIVERPOOL MANAGER Brendan Rodgers expressed his disappointment after Adam Lallana was jeered by Southampton fans when he returned to St Mary’s during the Reds’ 2-0 victory on Sunday.
The England midfielder came through the famed Southampton academy and went on to become captain of the south-coast club, playing a key role in their rise from League One to the Premier League.
Lallana left to join Rodgers’ side in a £25 million move last July and was braced for a rough ride when he faced his former club, having admitted that he regretted the way his transfer “got nasty” .
The 26-year-old and Dejan Lovren, who also left Southampton to join Liverpool in July after just one season at the Saints, were named in Rodgers’ starting XI against Ronald Koeman’s side, and they were given a hostile reception by the home fans.
Rickie Lambert was applauded as he warmed up, but Rodgers felt the striker and Lallana deserved better.
“I felt a wee bit disappointed for Adam, I have to say,” he told reporters.
“He was the captain here for two years and gave incredible service to Southampton. I know for a fact he could have left here a number of times and didn’t. To get the reception he got was disappointing.
“I looked in the match programme and there was nothing relevant to his time here. He and Rickie Lambert helped get the club where they are today, but there was no mention of them, which was sad.
“I can understand why they didn’t with Dejan as he was only here a year. But Adam and Rickie gave their heart and soul to Southampton. They have moved to one of the biggest clubs in the world, so you can’t deny a player that.
“They were wonderful servants and it was a massive decision for them to come to Liverpool. For them to not get any recognition, it was a wee bit sad.
“I was thinking of them today looking at the programme that everything they did, nothing was mentioned at all. Did they see it? I’m not sure. But I did.”
