Watching Southampton take Liverpool apart on Saturday afternoon, it was clear to see that Mauricio Pochettino’s gameplan had begun to rub off on the players. Pressing the Reds all across the pitch, forcing them into errors and denying them the opportunity to play their game, Saints rightfully walked away from St. Mary’s fully deserving of the plaudits.
However, one player that deserves the praise is young right-back Nathaniel Clyne. The former Crystal Palace man turned down the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City to sign for Southampton last summer, with the promise of first team football a defining factor for the 21-year-old.
Since securing his switch to the south coast, Clyne has made 26 appearances for the club, who look increasingly likely to secure their Premier League safety following the victory. Keeping Philippe Coutinho quiet through the duration of the encounter, talk of a place in the England squad was understandably high.
Pochettino was quick to play down the expectations thrust upon the shoulders of Clyne, but added he wouldn’t look out of a place in an England shirt. His performance against Liverpool further reinforced his credentials and heightened rumours that a place in the national team was right around the corner.