Tino Livramento has been performing well for the Saints.
As someone who loves flying full-backs, the boss of the Reds could be looking at the Saints on Saturday.
The Saints have one of the most exciting teenagers in the top flight, compared to some of the best defenders.
The 19-year-old is a threat going forward but equally effective in defence and has developed into a key player for the team, having missed just four minutes of the season.
It has vindicated the youngster's potentially career-changing decision this summer to turn his back on current premier league leaders Chelsea to pursue first-team football, despite just being named academy player of the year at the Blues.
From a young age, he excelled in attack and defence.
Livramento had been at the same place for more than a decade.
Winning such an award is not to be taken lightly given the wealth of talent that has come through the youth system over the years, and previous winners have included Mason Mount, Reece James and Conor Gallagher, who are all now starring in the premier league and playing for England.
Livramento is impressing as an attack-minded full-back, but he could excel in any position.
He started out as a centre-back at his local Sunday League side Roundshaw but was later deployed as a forward and finished the season as the club's top scorer.
Livramento said that his coach said that he was an excellent scorer and had the pace that a winger needed.
This gave me great confidence when I was a young boy and helped me play positive football.
After moving to the Blues' academy in 2009, his ability at both ends of the pitch caught the eye of the scouts and he was signed.
Right club, right coach, right time?
Hasenhuttl has given youth a chance.
Livramento got his first taste of senior football at the age of 17 when he was invited to train with the first team.
Mount and James had loan spells elsewhere, but their breakthrough was under Lampard.
Livramento had his heart set on a permanent move to become established, so that may have been an option as well.
He said that he and his father sat down in May and decided that he would leave the club to join a team in the top flight.
I have been a fan for as long as I can remember and have been a player there since I was seven.
There was no shortage of interest, but it was a chat with Hasenhuttl that convinced him to stay at Saints.
Livramento said that he was told a lot about how he wanted to train, how he wanted to play and what he wanted to bring to the team.
He was showing how he sees me playing in a team in the premier league and that was really attractive to me.
It will have helped that Hasenhuttl is a coach.
Three years ago, the Austrian took charge of the team.
Seven players have moved from Saints to the Reds.
The Saints provide players with the platform to flourish, and the Reds know that, as they have signed several who have performed well for the club over the years.
The strength of the Saints' youth development, particularly with regards to full-backs, is highlighted by the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, who is not as successful as the latter two.
After progressing through the ranks, both Shaw and Bale went on to star in a more advanced role after moving to Spurs.
Walcott said that Livramento reminded him of Bale when he first came through the ranks at the south coast club.
Strong in defence and a threat.
Hasenhuttl gave Livramento his first start for the club in the Saints' opening game of the season.
It took many by surprise, not least of all Livramento's dad who was a lifelong fan of the Blues and was at the game with Crystal Palace.
Livramento's debut ended in a 3-1 defeat, but he still impressed, earning one of the highest ratings for Saints players by the fans of the club, and he was nominated for the October's player of the month.
The statistics speak for themselves. He has regained possession 84 times in 12 games, more than any other defender in the top flight.
He has won more battles than any other defender and made more tackles than any other defender, with only Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell and Spurs right-back Emerson Royal managing more.
Metric.
Total.
There is a ranking for the premier league.
Duels.
146
1
Duels won.
85
1
Recoveries.
84
2
They tackle.
30
3
It was possession that won.
84
1
Fouls were won.
28.
1
There are interceptions.
20
9
Dribbles tried.
39 is a number.
1
ibbles were completed
17
3
Chances of an open play were created.
10
6
Crosses from a game.
32
9
His pace and direct running are real threats going forward.
Only Kyle Walker-Peters and Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka have completed more successful dribbles than Livramento, while just two defenders outside the traditional big six have created more chances from open play.
He is one of the most-fouled players in the premier league because he is a constant menace to opponents.
Player.
A figure.
Wilfried Zaha is from Crystal Palace.
33
The person is Ismaila Sarr.
32
Ivan Toney is fromBrentford.
29
Tino Livramento is in the area.
28.
He was in the last year of his contract at the time of his fee being lower than it might have been.
He will face one of the sternest tests of his career when he takes on a team with two of the best full-backs in the league. It will be a great indicator of how far he has come.
