This isn't really fair. Sure, Liverpool's record in signing Southampton players is spotty enough, but would the purchase of Shane Long really be such a bad move?
There are plenty of reports swirling around that the striker could be headed to Anfield, which would certainly be exciting from an Irish perspective.
But what about for Liverpool?
Long's engine would lend itself perfectly to Jurgen Klopp's frenetic pressing style although his meager goal return is unlikely to get Kopites too excited.
In fact, some supporters have been quite vocal about the prospect of the Irish international moving to Anfield. And it has not been too positive. After seeing Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert struggle after joining, fans just don't seem to trust the Southampton production line.
Signing Steven Caulker from the Southampton reserves didn't help things either.
Not signing Inaki Williams for £15.3m but signing Shane Long for £8m would literally be the most Liverpool thing you could possibly do #LFC
— J.C (@MakeUsDreamLFC5) January 16, 2016
@MakeUsDreamLFC5 would be stupidity , typical of #Lfc as you say
— JFT 96 (@Aviationlfc) January 16, 2016
Shane Long looking more likely for Liverpool, personally don't think it's a good signing.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) January 16, 2016
@LFCFansCorner you're right. He's fucking garbage
— Shitebag Podcast (@shitebag_) January 16, 2016
@LFCFansCorner if we are going for players like this then might as well put a lock on the gates now. Absolute shite
— Geoff Craft (@geoffcraft14) January 16, 2016
@LFCFansCorner imagine Rodgers signing him. Would be a mass Twitter fume.
— Lewis (@LPEdwards_10) January 16, 2016
Any Liverpool fan classifying Shane Long as a good signing, well and truly is lost. He's NOT #LFC quality at all.
— Kloppholic (@Kloppholic) January 16, 2016
Half expecting Liverpool to do a Chelsea-Vitesse on it & buy Southampton as a feeder club to save them the trouble.
— Conor Kelly (@ConorPacKelly) January 16, 2016
Caulker AND Shane Long? Does the Liverpool transfer committee only scout Southampton players?
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) January 16, 2016
This may just be a vocal section of Kop zealots, but you get the feeling that the majority of fans wouldn't be overjoyed if he arrived. In their defence, his tally of 15 goals in 58 games for Southampton isn't befitting of a top striker.
Are Liverpool fans being too harsh with their assessment?
