SEALED : As it was’: Manager says £50m Liverpool target is going to play for him today

Romeo Lavia is set to feature in Southampton’s friendly against AZ Alkmaar today.

 

Speaking to the club ahead of their pre-season clash, Saints boss Russell Martin declared that the squad would be ‘as it was’ in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth

Despite Liverpool’s £40 million offer for Lavia earlier this week, the midfielder was handed a spot in the starting line-up as Southampton hosted the Cherries at St Mary’s Stadium.

 

Lavia was replaced at half-time after he was spotted ‘coasting’ in the first half, with his mind clearly elsewhere.

However, Martin could start him once again this afternoon as a move to Anfield still remains distant. The Reds are yet to lodge a second bid for the Belgian and are awaiting Fabinho‘s departure before they continue their pursuit.

Liverpool were initially eager to sign Lavia in time for tomorrow’s meeting with Leicester City in Singapore, however they still look far from confirming his potential arrival as the midfielder remains on the south coast this weekend.

 

With Fabinho already passing his medical with Al-Ittihad, his move away from Merseyside could be confirmed over the next couple of days. Lavia could well become a Liverpool player before their match against Bayern Munich, though he may stay in England and instead feature in their final pre-season friendly against Darmstadt on August 7

Liverpool and Southampton need to thrash out a deal for Lavia very quickly

Liverpool are likely to be able to secure a deal for Romeo Lavia quickly once they have a bid accepted, having already agreed personal terms with the teenager.

 

The Reds need to get to that stage as soon as possible, with only two weeks to go until the Premier League opener against Chelsea.

If Lavia is absent from the Bayern Munich clash then it could mean he will only play one pre-season game alongside his new teammates. A start against the Blues would be unlikely at that point.

 

However, Thiago’s recent injury concern could limit Jurgen Klopp’s options in the midfield. The German will be eager to see Curtis Jones pick up where he left off last season.