Crooks says Liverpool, Arsenal missed trick over £18m Saints star

Garth Crooks has hailed the performances of Southampton new boy Mario Lemina and questioned why neither Liverpool or Arsenal made moves to sign the player this summer.

Lemina joined Saints in an £18million switch from Juventus this summer and has already made an impact with a number of fine displays.

That has prompted BBC pundit Crooks to question why Arsenal and Liverpool didn’t follow up on their initial interest and sign him.

He said: “My goodness, this lad looks a powerhouse.

“I suppose when you’ve played for one of the biggest clubs in the world in Juventus, you should have all the tools to survive in any league.

“However, what I witnessed in Southampton’s Mario Lemina was a player who seemed to stifle Crystal Palace’s every move.

“The former Juve man was composed on the ball and timely in the tackle – and for a holding midfielder, he was very capable of hurting the opposition.

“Lemina is a top-four player in my opinion and fair play to Southampton for making the purchase.

“Why he is not playing for Liverpool or Arsenal is a mystery to me.”