Liverpool Transfer News: Adam Lallana Comments on Exit from Southampton to Reds

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana is not expecting a warm welcome when he returns to Southampton on Sunday for the Reds' crucial Premier League clash.

It is the first time the former Saints skipper will return to St Mary's since his £25 million summer move to Anfield, and the Englishman admits he did not leave Saints—the club he joined aged 12—on the best of terms, per BBC Sport:

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I'm not stupid enough to think the way I left didn't leave a sour taste in a few people's mouths. I regret the way I left. I regret bits and pieces of how it happened and it got nasty. It was sad the way it happened. What is true is that when I knew of Liverpool's interest and that they had put a bid in, I did say to the club it would be my wish if they could negotiate a fee for me to move on. Not for one second did I say I wouldn't play for the club again. I'm man enough to say it was my choice and my decision for me to move on.

"

Lallana starred for Saints in the 2013-14 season as they finished a lofty eighth in the division, just two years after the club were promoted from the Championship.

He moved to Anfield in the summer, along with Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, and many predicted a shocking season for Southampton this term having lost a whole swathe of core players, as well as manager Mauricio Pochettino.

However, Sunday's clash sees seventh-placed Liverpool take on fourth-placed Saints for a key clash in the race for the Champions League places.

Lallana admits to missing Southampton, but he will be essential if the Reds are to pick up a vital win that would see them move to within one point of Ronald Koeman's men.

Southampton's defence will be difficult to breach, though, per Sky Sports News HQ, but Lallana has been in good form of late, scoring one and assisting one in his last two outings per WhoScored.com:

Undoubtedly the 26-year-old will be eager to put in another strong performance against his former club, and help his new teammates close down the gap to the top four.

However, he is certainly likely to face some hostility at St Mary's. Whether that will effect him negatively or positively remains to be seen.