Adam Bate reports on Benfica's Anderson Talisca, the Brazilian star hailed by Jose Mourinho - and tracked by Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers.
There is a line in The Nowhere Men, Michael Calvin's award-winning look at the world of football scouts, where Brentford boss Mark Warburton sums up how quickly a player can reveal his quality.
"As a scout, there are things that just grab your attention," says Warburton. "It might just be a first touch. It might be a little turn of pace or an unusual type of pass."
Against Monaco on Tuesday night, Benfica's Anderson Talisca showcased all three before going on to score the only goal of the game to keep his team's Champions League hopes alive.
It wasn't the complete performance. There were signs of clumsiness at times, and that rawness that can come with youth was evident. But if scouts rely on moments then Talisca certainly delivers them - he's now scored nine goals in his last 10 games.
And they're not just any scouts tracking Talisca. Reports suggest Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wenger have both watched the Brazilian in action on multiple occasions.
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, claims the 20-year-old was already the talk of Europe even before making the summer switch to Lisbon from Bahia in his homeland.
"I think Benfica hired well," he told Portuguese TV station TVI24 in September. "They say Talisca is unknown, but he is only so unknown because he's not playing in England - and that's because he doesn't have a work permit. If he had one, he would be here.
"There were many English teams, great and important teams, that wanted him. There were even those who wanted to sign him, despite the fact that he could not play for now.
"They wanted to sign him, put him in a minor league and hope that eventually he came to be capped and would consequently then get the work permit."
Anderson Talisca's goal came from his only touch in the box with much of his work done in midfield
It's easy to see why Talisca has captured the imagination.
He's an unusual player. Operating off the striker, he's not a typical No.10. At 6'2" he's uncharacteristically tall for someone playing in the hole and superficially resembles a target man.
But when the ball arrives, he's a very different proposition.
There was the powerful run with the ball in the opening minutes that was complemented by a measured through-ball to set up Enzo Perez for a chance that the Argentine dragged wide when he should have done better.
There was a sweeping crossfield pass with his left foot and a first time back-flick to put Eduardo Salvio through on goal thanks to a lightning fast one-two.
And all inside the first quarter of an hour. The Opta data shows that Talisca created more chances than anyone else on the pitch - and he had plenty of efforts of his own too.
In the second half, Talisca forced a good save from Danijel Subasic with a long-range effort struck from similar territory to the one that stunned Rio Ave in the Estadio da Luz at the weekend.
But he was not to be denied. Inside the final 10 minutes, he found space to get on the end of Derley's near-post header from a corner and score his first ever Champions League goal. It's likely to be the first of many.
Indeed, despite Mourinho's insinuation of omniscience, it's been a remarkable rise for Talisca. As recently as February, then Bahia coach Marquinhos Santos was restricting him to a substitute role - much to the annoyance of the crowd.
It was only when the coach hit upon his best role that the player began to flourish.
"He told me he likes to play close to the opposition goal," said Marquinhos Santos. "But within the penalty area is not the best position for him. However, if he is allowed to float around without defensive responsibilities then his talent emerges."
Senior recognition?
By June, the coach was admitting that Talisca had become a "major player" for the team. He's now a major player for Benfica - voted the best in the country for August and September and out on his own as the current top scorer in the Portuguese top flight with eight goals.
Senior international recognition with Brazil might not be far away either.
Talisca was part of the Under-20 squad that won the Toulon Tournament in 2013 and just as he had with Marquinhos Santos - "he is dedicated and is always one of the last to leave practice" - he impressed with his attitude.
Brazil's coach in Toulon, Alexander Gallo, described Talisca as "a very quiet boy" who caused no problems and has since progressed him to the Under-21 squad that will eventually form the backbone of the Selecao's bid for long overdue Olympic glory in Rio.
As a result, it might not be too long before Talisca begins to get those caps Mourinho was talking about. When that happens, it won't need a scout to spot the obvious: Talisca is destined for big things.
Adam Bate reports on Benfica's Anderson Talisca, the Brazilian star hailed by Jose Mourinho - and tracked by Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers.
There is a line in The Nowhere Men, Michael Calvin's award-winning look at the world of football scouts, where Brentford boss Mark Warburton sums up how quickly a player can reveal his quality.
"As a scout, there are things that just grab your attention," says Warburton. "It might just be a first touch. It might be a little turn of pace or an unusual type of pass."
Against Monaco on Tuesday night, Benfica's Anderson Talisca showcased all three before going on to score the only goal of the game to keep his team's Champions League hopes alive.
It wasn't the complete performance. There were signs of clumsiness at times, and that rawness that can come with youth was evident. But if scouts rely on moments then Talisca certainly delivers them - he's now scored nine goals in his last 10 games.
And they're not just any scouts tracking Talisca. Reports suggest Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wenger have both watched the Brazilian in action on multiple occasions.
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, claims the 20-year-old was already the talk of Europe even before making the summer switch to Lisbon from Bahia in his homeland.
"I think Benfica hired well," he told Portuguese TV station TVI24 in September. "They say Talisca is unknown, but he is only so unknown because he's not playing in England - and that's because he doesn't have a work permit. If he had one, he would be here.
"There were many English teams, great and important teams, that wanted him. There were even those who wanted to sign him, despite the fact that he could not play for now.
"They wanted to sign him, put him in a minor league and hope that eventually he came to be capped and would consequently then get the work permit."
Anderson Talisca's goal came from his only touch in the box with much of his work done in midfield
It's easy to see why Talisca has captured the imagination.
He's an unusual player. Operating off the striker, he's not a typical No.10. At 6'2" he's uncharacteristically tall for someone playing in the hole and superficially resembles a target man.
But when the ball arrives, he's a very different proposition.
There was the powerful run with the ball in the opening minutes that was complemented by a measured through-ball to set up Enzo Perez for a chance that the Argentine dragged wide when he should have done better.
There was a sweeping crossfield pass with his left foot and a first time back-flick to put Eduardo Salvio through on goal thanks to a lightning fast one-two.
And all inside the first quarter of an hour. The Opta data shows that Talisca created more chances than anyone else on the pitch - and he had plenty of efforts of his own too.
In the second half, Talisca forced a good save from Danijel Subasic with a long-range effort struck from similar territory to the one that stunned Rio Ave in the Estadio da Luz at the weekend.
But he was not to be denied. Inside the final 10 minutes, he found space to get on the end of Derley's near-post header from a corner and score his first ever Champions League goal. It's likely to be the first of many.
Indeed, despite Mourinho's insinuation of omniscience, it's been a remarkable rise for Talisca. As recently as February, then Bahia coach Marquinhos Santos was restricting him to a substitute role - much to the annoyance of the crowd.
It was only when the coach hit upon his best role that the player began to flourish.
"He told me he likes to play close to the opposition goal," said Marquinhos Santos. "But within the penalty area is not the best position for him. However, if he is allowed to float around without defensive responsibilities then his talent emerges."
Senior recognition?
By June, the coach was admitting that Talisca had become a "major player" for the team. He's now a major player for Benfica - voted the best in the country for August and September and out on his own as the current top scorer in the Portuguese top flight with eight goals.
Senior international recognition with Brazil might not be far away either.
Talisca was part of the Under-20 squad that won the Toulon Tournament in 2013 and just as he had with Marquinhos Santos - "he is dedicated and is always one of the last to leave practice" - he impressed with his attitude.
Brazil's coach in Toulon, Alexander Gallo, described Talisca as "a very quiet boy" who caused no problems and has since progressed him to the Under-21 squad that will eventually form the backbone of the Selecao's bid for long overdue Olympic glory in Rio.
As a result, it might not be too long before Talisca begins to get those caps Mourinho was talking about. When that happens, it won't need a scout to spot the obvious: Talisca is destined for big things.
After Brendan Rodgers made seven changes for Liverpool's Champions League tie at Real Madrid, two TEAMtalk writers debate whether he was right.
In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.
You can vote for your winner using the story comment facility at the bottom of the article, or by declaring your support on Twitter.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers caused a stir on Tuesday evening when he made seven changes to his side for the Champions League tie at Real Madrid, leaving out Dejan Lovren, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Mario Balotelli.
The Reds actually competed better at the Bernabeu than they had against the same opponents at Anfield a fortnight earlier, going down by a solitary goal, and afterwards Rodgers insisted he picked what he felt was the best team for the occasion.
But was he really right to leave his leading lights out of the starting line-up?
James Marshment and Mark Holmes have their say...
After fielding their strongest available XI in the first game against Real Madrid at Anfield a fortnight earlier, Brendan Rodgers was 100% correct to field a 'weakened XI' for the return at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
Managers constantly tell you that to maintain a challenge on multiple fronts the entire squad must be utilised at various stages over a season, and having invested on strengthening his pool over the summer, I think it's right that some of these players were given their chance in Madrid.
Many felt beforehand there was an element of risk to Rodgers' selections, that a heavy defeat would reflect badly on the manager and put a severe dent in an already-fragile squad morale. But what happened was probably the opposite.
Whilst not a vintage Liverpool display, the players on show certainly didn't disgrace themselves - and if anything the side on Tuesday night put up far more of a fight than the XI before them a fortnight earlier, who I believe were too respectful of the European champions.
Let's face it - how many teams go the Bernabeu and take anything off what is probably the best attacking line-up in world football? What would have been the point in selecting an apparent strongest XI and still getting beat anyway? That would have meant a more-jaded look about the team for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Chelsea - a match which arguably is of more significance to Liverpool's season.
By resting, for the most part, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling in Spain, Liverpool have given themselves a much better chance of taking something from the clash with Jose Mourinho's in-form Blues.
Rodgers will have known in the back of his mind that Liverpool's Champions League future won't have hinged on that trip to the Bernabeu, but more on their next two games in the competition against Ludogorets away and Basel at home.
As one of the game's top managers (love him, or loathe him you cannot deny he's manager at one of the world's top clubs), Rodgers is paid to make tough team selections such as that last night, and for the reasons stated, I believe got it absolutely on the money.
State your support for James by using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter.
First of all, regardless of what Rodgers said, it was a weakened team he fielded in Madrid on Tuesday night.
He may have more options than he did last season, but Rodgers is being hugely disrespectful to the Liverpool fans by trying to suggest he left out Lovren, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling and Coutinho for the good of the team.
There is certainly an argument that some of the team's fringe players deserve more of a chance given the first choices' performances for much of this season, but to make seven changes against the European champions was a clear sign that Rodgers had effectively written the game off.
No matter how well the stand-ins may have performed at the Bernabeu, it would be a huge surprise if more than three of them retain their places for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Rodgers clearly saw that as a more important, more winnable game, and, unlike on Tuesday night, he will field what he genuinely believes to be his strongest line-up available.
We are used to seeing managers prioritising the Premier League over the Europa League, which is understandable for clubs with Champions League aspirations or even those that have found themselves scrapping at the wrong end of the table having struggled to cope with the extra games in Europe.
It is rather more unusual for a club to rest players in the Champions League, let alone a glamour clash with Real Madrid, and there is little doubt that some of the Reds' travelling supporters, not to mention those left on the bench, will be disappointed with Rodgers' decision.
It will, however, be vindicated if Liverpool beat Chelsea. If they can end the Blues' unbeaten record to kickstart their own season it could well look like a masterstroke by Rodgers to have rested key players for a European game they may well have lost anyway.
Lose to Chelsea, however, and this is a week that Liverpool fans will not forget in a hurry - and for all the wrong reasons.
State your support for Mark by using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter.
After Brendan Rodgers made seven changes for Liverpool's Champions League tie at Real Madrid, two TEAMtalk writers debate whether he was right.
In Daily Debate, two TEAMtalk writers give their views on a hot topic and then invite readers to decide who has put forward the best argument.
You can vote for your winner using the story comment facility at the bottom of the article, or by declaring your support on Twitter.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers caused a stir on Tuesday evening when he made seven changes to his side for the Champions League tie at Real Madrid, leaving out Dejan Lovren, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Mario Balotelli.
The Reds actually competed better at the Bernabeu than they had against the same opponents at Anfield a fortnight earlier, going down by a solitary goal, and afterwards Rodgers insisted he picked what he felt was the best team for the occasion.
But was he really right to leave his leading lights out of the starting line-up?
James Marshment and Mark Holmes have their say...
After fielding their strongest available XI in the first game against Real Madrid at Anfield a fortnight earlier, Brendan Rodgers was 100% correct to field a 'weakened XI' for the return at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
Managers constantly tell you that to maintain a challenge on multiple fronts the entire squad must be utilised at various stages over a season, and having invested on strengthening his pool over the summer, I think it's right that some of these players were given their chance in Madrid.
Many felt beforehand there was an element of risk to Rodgers' selections, that a heavy defeat would reflect badly on the manager and put a severe dent in an already-fragile squad morale. But what happened was probably the opposite.
Whilst not a vintage Liverpool display, the players on show certainly didn't disgrace themselves - and if anything the side on Tuesday night put up far more of a fight than the XI before them a fortnight earlier, who I believe were too respectful of the European champions.
Let's face it - how many teams go the Bernabeu and take anything off what is probably the best attacking line-up in world football? What would have been the point in selecting an apparent strongest XI and still getting beat anyway? That would have meant a more-jaded look about the team for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Chelsea - a match which arguably is of more significance to Liverpool's season.
By resting, for the most part, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling in Spain, Liverpool have given themselves a much better chance of taking something from the clash with Jose Mourinho's in-form Blues.
Rodgers will have known in the back of his mind that Liverpool's Champions League future won't have hinged on that trip to the Bernabeu, but more on their next two games in the competition against Ludogorets away and Basel at home.
As one of the game's top managers (love him, or loathe him you cannot deny he's manager at one of the world's top clubs), Rodgers is paid to make tough team selections such as that last night, and for the reasons stated, I believe got it absolutely on the money.
State your support for James by using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter.
First of all, regardless of what Rodgers said, it was a weakened team he fielded in Madrid on Tuesday night.
He may have more options than he did last season, but Rodgers is being hugely disrespectful to the Liverpool fans by trying to suggest he left out Lovren, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling and Coutinho for the good of the team.
There is certainly an argument that some of the team's fringe players deserve more of a chance given the first choices' performances for much of this season, but to make seven changes against the European champions was a clear sign that Rodgers had effectively written the game off.
No matter how well the stand-ins may have performed at the Bernabeu, it would be a huge surprise if more than three of them retain their places for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Rodgers clearly saw that as a more important, more winnable game, and, unlike on Tuesday night, he will field what he genuinely believes to be his strongest line-up available.
We are used to seeing managers prioritising the Premier League over the Europa League, which is understandable for clubs with Champions League aspirations or even those that have found themselves scrapping at the wrong end of the table having struggled to cope with the extra games in Europe.
It is rather more unusual for a club to rest players in the Champions League, let alone a glamour clash with Real Madrid, and there is little doubt that some of the Reds' travelling supporters, not to mention those left on the bench, will be disappointed with Rodgers' decision.
It will, however, be vindicated if Liverpool beat Chelsea. If they can end the Blues' unbeaten record to kickstart their own season it could well look like a masterstroke by Rodgers to have rested key players for a European game they may well have lost anyway.
Lose to Chelsea, however, and this is a week that Liverpool fans will not forget in a hurry - and for all the wrong reasons.
State your support for Mark by using the story comment facility below or by getting in touch on Twitter.
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure says the performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday proved that the squad has strength in depth.
Manager Brendan Rodgers gave some of his fringe players a start at the Bernabeu, with an eye on this weekend’s big Premier League match against Chelsea.
However, even without players such as Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling, Liverpool performed well against the reigning Champions League winners in a 1-0 defeat.
Toure made his first start in anything other than the Capital One Cup since February but may be set for more regular action, after Real’s prolific forward Cristiano Ronaldo was kept off the score-sheet.
"People were saying we had no chance against Real Madrid but that gave us motivation," said Toure.
"When you don't play a lot and a manager gives you a chance to show what you can do, you give everything you have got.
"That is what happened and that's the way we need to play in every game now. We all showed the manager we will fight.
"I know we lost but I am very happy because we played a really good game. At the end of the day, everyone worked hard and showed so much determination.
"We had a lot of players out there who haven't played many games this season but we showed what a good squad we have.
"It doesn't matter what players play here, they will give 100 per cent. You have to be ready and we showed that.
"As a team, we worked so hard, and I am really proud of the boys. We could have got a draw out of it.
"I have missed games like this.
"These are the kind of games you remember all your life. The last game I played here was with Arsenal, when we won.
"I play with my heart and I am ready to fight for my club."
Liverpool are third in Group B after a pair of losses to Real and qualification will depend on their results in their final two group encounters at Ludogorets and at home to Basel.
"We are still in there,” said Toure. “We will do everything to win those last two games and get through to the next round.
"I definitely believe we can do it. If we play with our quality and our heart then we will win those matches."
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure says the performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday proved that the squad has strength in depth.
Manager Brendan Rodgers gave some of his fringe players a start at the Bernabeu, with an eye on this weekend’s big Premier League match against Chelsea.
However, even without players such as Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling, Liverpool performed well against the reigning Champions League winners in a 1-0 defeat.
Toure made his first start in anything other than the Capital One Cup since February but may be set for more regular action, after Real’s prolific forward Cristiano Ronaldo was kept off the score-sheet.
"People were saying we had no chance against Real Madrid but that gave us motivation," said Toure.
"When you don't play a lot and a manager gives you a chance to show what you can do, you give everything you have got.
"That is what happened and that's the way we need to play in every game now. We all showed the manager we will fight.
"I know we lost but I am very happy because we played a really good game. At the end of the day, everyone worked hard and showed so much determination.
"We had a lot of players out there who haven't played many games this season but we showed what a good squad we have.
"It doesn't matter what players play here, they will give 100 per cent. You have to be ready and we showed that.
"As a team, we worked so hard, and I am really proud of the boys. We could have got a draw out of it.
"I have missed games like this.
"These are the kind of games you remember all your life. The last game I played here was with Arsenal, when we won.
"I play with my heart and I am ready to fight for my club."
Liverpool are third in Group B after a pair of losses to Real and qualification will depend on their results in their final two group encounters at Ludogorets and at home to Basel.
"We are still in there,” said Toure. “We will do everything to win those last two games and get through to the next round.
"I definitely believe we can do it. If we play with our quality and our heart then we will win those matches."
Southampton's transfer business has put the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool to shame, writes WhoScored's Ali Tweedale.
If there is one lesson to be learned from the past few seasons of transfer activity in the Premier League, it would probably be to avoid an overreliance on any one player.
Robin van Persie's departure from Arsenal hit the Gunners hard; Spurs have struggled to cope since Gareth Bale went to Real Madrid; Liverpool look a shell of the team that scored 102 Premier League goals last season now that Luis Suarez has gone.
Southampton, however, built a squad capable of dealing with a summer of outgoings and have shown their Premier League counterparts exactly how to cope with serious upheaval.
They replaced their successful yet young departing manager with a more experienced one, who quickly sought about specifically replacing each individual that had left.
They may have lost the bulk of the team that fared so well last season, but those coming in have shone already, and Saints are flying high, second in the Premier League after 10 games.
Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle, who have taken to English football well following transfers from the Eredivisie, have replaced Liverpool-bound Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.
Previous imports from the Dutch top flight include Luis Suarez, Jozy Altidore, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Afonso Alves, highlighting exactly how mixed the fortunes of those moving from Holland to England have been in the past.
Tadic and Pelle, though, with respective WhoScored ratings of 7.54 and 7.42, putting them in the top 25 performers so far this season, have adapted seamlessly.
Tadic's six assists is already more than Lallana managed in the whole of last season, and while he could do with adding a few more goals (one so far, compared to Lallana's nine for the season), he is averaging 2.4 shots per game (compared to Lallana's 1.8), and more goals will surely follow.
Given that they received £26m for Lallana and he has made only six Premier League appearances for Liverpool, contributing just one goal thus far, Saints have certainly come off the better of the two teams.
Pelle was arguably even more of a risk, having only registered significant goal tallies in his two most recent seasons, netting sporadically throughout the previous eight campaigns in his career.
However, compare him to Lambert this season, who has managed just 165 minutes on the pitch, and bringing Pelle in seems a masterstroke. In fact, Pelle has scored two more goals (6) than Lambert has had shots (4) this season. The Italian is well on course to top Lambert's tally of 13 goals from last season.
It is at the other end, however, that Southampton have excelled most. They have the best defensive record in England, conceding at least twice as few goals (5) as any other team in the Premier League and at least four fewer than any other team in the Football League.
With Dejan Lovren's move to Liverpool, Toby Alderweireld has come in to great effect, forming a fantastic partnership with an increasingly composed and growing in stature Jose Fonte.
Alderweireld is making 2.0 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 5.8 clearances per game, giving him a decent WhoScored rating of 6.92, but the stats suggest he is still some distance from the level of Lovren, who is rating 7.20 at Liverpool with 2.5 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and a monstrous 10.2 clearances per game.
It is worth remembering that at the 10-game stage last season, Southampton had actually conceded even fewer goals (4).
The final major replacement was Ryan Bertrand, fresh from a mediocre half-season at a relegation-threatened Aston Villa, and brought to St Mary's to replace £30m Manchester United signing Luke Shaw.
While Shaw struggles for fitness in a defence that has already shipped 14 goals, Bertrand has been ever-present, reinvented as a marauding full-back on the south coast, already picking up a goal and an assist in the league.
Shaw is making more tackles (2.2 per game to 1.5) but that is probably a result of a rather more rash approach to defending that has seen him caught out of position far too many times already in his short United career.
That is reflected more accurately in Shaw's reading of the game that sees him make 0.2 interceptions per game to Bertrand's 1.9.
It was predicted that the rebuilding process at Southampton would be a long and ongoing one that may take a few seasons, but their signings have clicked immediately, and coupled with their steadfastness in rejecting overtures for the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, their summer's work has been fruitful, to say the least.
There is a long way to go and, as we saw last season when they began to fall off the pace when the games started coming thick and fast, it is tough to maintain this level for a full season.
However, this time around they look even better set to survive a tough winter in the Premier League.
You can follow Ali on Twitter @alitweedale.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.
Southampton's transfer business has put the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool to shame, writes WhoScored's Ali Tweedale.
If there is one lesson to be learned from the past few seasons of transfer activity in the Premier League, it would probably be to avoid an overreliance on any one player.
Robin van Persie's departure from Arsenal hit the Gunners hard; Spurs have struggled to cope since Gareth Bale went to Real Madrid; Liverpool look a shell of the team that scored 102 Premier League goals last season now that Luis Suarez has gone.
Southampton, however, built a squad capable of dealing with a summer of outgoings and have shown their Premier League counterparts exactly how to cope with serious upheaval.
They replaced their successful yet young departing manager with a more experienced one, who quickly sought about specifically replacing each individual that had left.
They may have lost the bulk of the team that fared so well last season, but those coming in have shone already, and Saints are flying high, second in the Premier League after 10 games.
Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle, who have taken to English football well following transfers from the Eredivisie, have replaced Liverpool-bound Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.
Previous imports from the Dutch top flight include Luis Suarez, Jozy Altidore, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Afonso Alves, highlighting exactly how mixed the fortunes of those moving from Holland to England have been in the past.
Tadic and Pelle, though, with respective WhoScored ratings of 7.54 and 7.42, putting them in the top 25 performers so far this season, have adapted seamlessly.
Tadic's six assists is already more than Lallana managed in the whole of last season, and while he could do with adding a few more goals (one so far, compared to Lallana's nine for the season), he is averaging 2.4 shots per game (compared to Lallana's 1.8), and more goals will surely follow.
Given that they received £26m for Lallana and he has made only six Premier League appearances for Liverpool, contributing just one goal thus far, Saints have certainly come off the better of the two teams.
Pelle was arguably even more of a risk, having only registered significant goal tallies in his two most recent seasons, netting sporadically throughout the previous eight campaigns in his career.
However, compare him to Lambert this season, who has managed just 165 minutes on the pitch, and bringing Pelle in seems a masterstroke. In fact, Pelle has scored two more goals (6) than Lambert has had shots (4) this season. The Italian is well on course to top Lambert's tally of 13 goals from last season.
It is at the other end, however, that Southampton have excelled most. They have the best defensive record in England, conceding at least twice as few goals (5) as any other team in the Premier League and at least four fewer than any other team in the Football League.
With Dejan Lovren's move to Liverpool, Toby Alderweireld has come in to great effect, forming a fantastic partnership with an increasingly composed and growing in stature Jose Fonte.
Alderweireld is making 2.0 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 5.8 clearances per game, giving him a decent WhoScored rating of 6.92, but the stats suggest he is still some distance from the level of Lovren, who is rating 7.20 at Liverpool with 2.5 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and a monstrous 10.2 clearances per game.
It is worth remembering that at the 10-game stage last season, Southampton had actually conceded even fewer goals (4).
The final major replacement was Ryan Bertrand, fresh from a mediocre half-season at a relegation-threatened Aston Villa, and brought to St Mary's to replace £30m Manchester United signing Luke Shaw.
While Shaw struggles for fitness in a defence that has already shipped 14 goals, Bertrand has been ever-present, reinvented as a marauding full-back on the south coast, already picking up a goal and an assist in the league.
Shaw is making more tackles (2.2 per game to 1.5) but that is probably a result of a rather more rash approach to defending that has seen him caught out of position far too many times already in his short United career.
That is reflected more accurately in Shaw's reading of the game that sees him make 0.2 interceptions per game to Bertrand's 1.9.
It was predicted that the rebuilding process at Southampton would be a long and ongoing one that may take a few seasons, but their signings have clicked immediately, and coupled with their steadfastness in rejecting overtures for the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, their summer's work has been fruitful, to say the least.
There is a long way to go and, as we saw last season when they began to fall off the pace when the games started coming thick and fast, it is tough to maintain this level for a full season.
However, this time around they look even better set to survive a tough winter in the Premier League.
You can follow Ali on Twitter @alitweedale.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.
Paul and Chris from RedmenTV were over in Madrid this week and provide some quality post-match videos after the Champions League defeat at the Bernabeu.
Paul’s post-match thoughts:
Chris’ post-match reaction:
Fan reactions:
Liverpool fans taunt Adrian Chiles:
And Paul Scholes:
Liverpool fans sing the Colin Pascoe song:
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Paul and Chris from RedmenTV were over in Madrid this week and provide some quality post-match videos after the Champions League defeat at the Bernabeu.
Paul’s post-match thoughts:
Chris’ post-match reaction:
Fan reactions:
Liverpool fans taunt Adrian Chiles:
And Paul Scholes:
Liverpool fans sing the Colin Pascoe song:
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Liverpool lost 1-0 to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, but it was a very fine display by Brendan Rodgers‘ weakened side. Henry Jackson rates each Reds player on the night.
SIMON MIGNOLET (out of 10)- 7.5
Mignolet produced arguably his best performance of the season, making several fine saves and showing a noticeable improvement in his decision-making. Hopefully this is the start of a resurgence from the 26-year-old.
Vote Mignolet as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
JAVIER MANQUILLO- 7
The youngster was largely solid, and considering he had to deal with the marauding Marcelo and tricky Isco, he did well throughout. Got forward well too, although his crossing needs to be more consistent.
Vote Manquillo as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
The Slovakian was one of Liverpool’s weaker players on the night, committing too many silly fouls and almost gifting Real Madrid a goal with a sloppy loss of possession in the first-half. Good in the air. Booked for a typically reckless challenge on Ronaldo early on, giving away a free kick in a dangerous area in the process.
Vote Skrtel as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
KOLO TOURE- 8.5
A magnificent performance by the 33-year-old, who rolled back the years to his Arsenal days. The Ivorian made endless blocks and clearances, was dominant aerially and showed great leadership. His finest moment in a Reds shirt to date.
Vote Toure as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
ALBERTO MORENO- 7.5
The Spaniard may have been a little naive in possession at times, trying risky things in dangerous areas, but he got forward brilliantly from start to finish and produced some excellent defending. Despite a few defensive errors, he has been one of Brendan Rodgers’ best signings of the summer.
Vote Moreno as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
LUCAS LEIVA- 8
The 27-year-old was superb in defensive midfield, producing his best performance in a long time. He was positionally terrific, used the ball well and looked more like the Lucas of two or three years ago.
Vote Leiva as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
EMRE CAN- 7.5
The 20-year-old continued to show his huge potential, playing with confidence and dynamism in the middle of the park. He looks as though he will mould into the complete midfielder, and could become a star at Anfield.
Vote Can as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
JOE ALLEN- 6.5
The 24-year-old’s work-rate could not be faulted, and he pressed relentlessly all evening, but his use of the ball was disappointing and he did not impose himself on the game. Has to start doing more to justify being a regular.
Vote Allen as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
ADAM LALLANA- 7
The former Southampton man struggled to get into the game at times from out wide, but when he did have the ball he looked tricky and inventive. One of his side’s more dangerous players, particularly in the second-half.
Vote Lallana as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
LAZAR MARKOVIC- 6
Markovic continues to struggle in a Liverpool shirt, and although his pace offered the Reds an outlet, he invariably did nothing when he had a chance to run at the Madrid defence. He is clearly a talent, but it’s not happening for the 20-year-old at the moment.
Vote Markovic as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
FABIO BORINI- 6.5
The Italian worked tirelessly up front from start to finish, and did his best to be the focal point of the team. He was isolated throughout though, and couldn’t stamp his authority on proceedings.
Vote Borini as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
Substitutes
STEVEN GERRARD (on for Lucas 69)- 6.5
The skipper was tidy, but couldn’t influence proceedings much, kept trying to with long diagonal balls in behind full backs, whether at the manager’s request or his own doing.
Vote Gerrard as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
RAHEEM STERLING (on for Markovic 69)- 6.5
The 19-year-old’s speed immediately worried the hosts, but he was relatively quiet in general.
Vote Sterling as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
PHILIPPE COUTINHO (on for Can 75)- 6.5
The Brazilian showed creativity and class on the ball, but like the other substitutes, his introduction didn’t make too much difference.
Vote Coutinho as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
MAKE YOUR RATINGS
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Liverpool lost 1-0 to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, but it was a very fine display by Brendan Rodgers‘ weakened side. Henry Jackson rates each Reds player on the night.
SIMON MIGNOLET (out of 10)- 7.5
Mignolet produced arguably his best performance of the season, making several fine saves and showing a noticeable improvement in his decision-making. Hopefully this is the start of a resurgence from the 26-year-old.
Vote Mignolet as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
JAVIER MANQUILLO- 7
The youngster was largely solid, and considering he had to deal with the marauding Marcelo and tricky Isco, he did well throughout. Got forward well too, although his crossing needs to be more consistent.
Vote Manquillo as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
The Slovakian was one of Liverpool’s weaker players on the night, committing too many silly fouls and almost gifting Real Madrid a goal with a sloppy loss of possession in the first-half. Good in the air. Booked for a typically reckless challenge on Ronaldo early on, giving away a free kick in a dangerous area in the process.
Vote Skrtel as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
KOLO TOURE- 8.5
A magnificent performance by the 33-year-old, who rolled back the years to his Arsenal days. The Ivorian made endless blocks and clearances, was dominant aerially and showed great leadership. His finest moment in a Reds shirt to date.
Vote Toure as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
ALBERTO MORENO- 7.5
The Spaniard may have been a little naive in possession at times, trying risky things in dangerous areas, but he got forward brilliantly from start to finish and produced some excellent defending. Despite a few defensive errors, he has been one of Brendan Rodgers’ best signings of the summer.
Vote Moreno as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
LUCAS LEIVA- 8
The 27-year-old was superb in defensive midfield, producing his best performance in a long time. He was positionally terrific, used the ball well and looked more like the Lucas of two or three years ago.
Vote Leiva as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
EMRE CAN- 7.5
The 20-year-old continued to show his huge potential, playing with confidence and dynamism in the middle of the park. He looks as though he will mould into the complete midfielder, and could become a star at Anfield.
Vote Can as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
JOE ALLEN- 6.5
The 24-year-old’s work-rate could not be faulted, and he pressed relentlessly all evening, but his use of the ball was disappointing and he did not impose himself on the game. Has to start doing more to justify being a regular.
Vote Allen as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
ADAM LALLANA- 7
The former Southampton man struggled to get into the game at times from out wide, but when he did have the ball he looked tricky and inventive. One of his side’s more dangerous players, particularly in the second-half.
Vote Lallana as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
LAZAR MARKOVIC- 6
Markovic continues to struggle in a Liverpool shirt, and although his pace offered the Reds an outlet, he invariably did nothing when he had a chance to run at the Madrid defence. He is clearly a talent, but it’s not happening for the 20-year-old at the moment.
Vote Markovic as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
FABIO BORINI- 6.5
The Italian worked tirelessly up front from start to finish, and did his best to be the focal point of the team. He was isolated throughout though, and couldn’t stamp his authority on proceedings.
Vote Borini as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
Substitutes
STEVEN GERRARD (on for Lucas 69)- 6.5
The skipper was tidy, but couldn’t influence proceedings much, kept trying to with long diagonal balls in behind full backs, whether at the manager’s request or his own doing.
Vote Gerrard as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
RAHEEM STERLING (on for Markovic 69)- 6.5
The 19-year-old’s speed immediately worried the hosts, but he was relatively quiet in general.
Vote Sterling as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
PHILIPPE COUTINHO (on for Can 75)- 6.5
The Brazilian showed creativity and class on the ball, but like the other substitutes, his introduction didn’t make too much difference.
Vote Coutinho as your Man of the Match on Twitter:
MAKE YOUR RATINGS
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Watch Brendan Rodgers‘ post-match interview from Wednesday night where the Liverpool boss took the positives from a narrow 1-0 defeat to European Champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu…
Karim Benzema’s first half goal separated the two sides as a weakened Liverpool team showed encouraging signs of attacking football and cohesion, giving Rodgers plenty of food for thought ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea.
"I have to put my trust in the squad because we brought a lot of players in during the summer," he told ITV Sport after the match.
"I thought the players were outstanding; Kolo Toure and Lucas Leiva was excellent, Adam Lallana got better as the game went on and Fabio Borini showed his intensity at the top of the field.
"It gave me great food for thought and all those who weren't playing last night doesn't necessarily mean they will play against Chelsea."
Liverpool still have every chance of qualifying for the latter stages of the Champions League — but must beat both Basel and Ludogorets in their final two group stage games.
The Reds remain seventh in the Premier League table, but a win against Chelsea at Anfield this weekend could see them rise to be level on points with fourth placed Arsenal.
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Watch Brendan Rodgers‘ post-match interview from Wednesday night where the Liverpool boss took the positives from a narrow 1-0 defeat to European Champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu…
Karim Benzema’s first half goal separated the two sides as a weakened Liverpool team showed encouraging signs of attacking football and cohesion, giving Rodgers plenty of food for thought ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea.
"I have to put my trust in the squad because we brought a lot of players in during the summer," he told ITV Sport after the match.
"I thought the players were outstanding; Kolo Toure and Lucas Leiva was excellent, Adam Lallana got better as the game went on and Fabio Borini showed his intensity at the top of the field.
"It gave me great food for thought and all those who weren't playing last night doesn't necessarily mean they will play against Chelsea."
Liverpool still have every chance of qualifying for the latter stages of the Champions League — but must beat both Basel and Ludogorets in their final two group stage games.
The Reds remain seventh in the Premier League table, but a win against Chelsea at Anfield this weekend could see them rise to be level on points with fourth placed Arsenal.
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Liverpool can be proud of their display in the Beranbeu and could have got something out of the game, argues Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson.
The Reds, who made a number of notable omissions for Tuesday's match, slipped to their second defeat to Madrid in as many weeks - with Karim Benzema's 27th-minute strike settling the contest.
Real entered the game on the back of 11 successive victories in all competitions, a run which has saw them score an incredible 46 goals in the process.
Liverpool's heavily-altered starting line-up, allied with Madrid's emphatic recent form, would have led the most die-hard of Liverpool fans to question their side's chances against the European champions.
But Thompson suggested Brendan Rodgers' side could have no regrets on how they performed and pointed to a lack of fortune preventing them from getting something out of the game.
Giving his assessment on the game, Thompson told Soccer Special: "I feel happy about a 1-0 defeat and Brendan will be quite pleased with himself.
"But you never enjoy a defeat when you're part of Liverpool Football Club. There was great apprehension from the fans and everybody concerned (before the game) and in all fairness Brendan picked his side, went with it and they had to stand up - which they certainly did.
"You could feel when it got towards the last 20 minutes, when Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, and Coutinho came on there was a sense - particularly when Borini's free kick got a deflection off Luka Modric - that maybe it wasn't their day."
With one eye on Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers left talismanic captain Steven Gerrard on the bench, along with playmakers Raheem Sterling and Philipe Coutinho.
Thompson, however, would not let this detract from a number of players who stepped up on the biggest stage and ensured Liverpool were not on the end of an embarrassing defeat.
"In fairness to sum it all up the players will have enjoyed the experience playing here and I think they have all done themselves very proud," he added.
"Mignolet, who's had a difficult time recently, was brilliant and Kolo Toure at centre-back was great, so fantastic play all around."
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann was bewildered by Steven Gerrard's exclusion form the starting line-up in the Bernabeu.
Hamann, who won the Champions League in 2005 with the Reds, believes Liverpool's indifferent start to their league campaign has brought their top-four credentials into question, and questioned why Rodgers would deny Gerrard the opportunity to start in the Bernabeu for what could be the last time.
"It would be interesting to know if he did speak to his captain to leave him out, because I can imagine he wasn't too impressed because you're not sure if they will get in the top four this season, so it may have been the last time he goes to the Bernabeu," Hamann said.
"To play there is the ultimate experience, so it would be interesting to know whether he did speak to him before the game, or even ask him whether he is OK with leaving him out.
"He thought they are going to Madrid and are going to get beat anyway. You may say it's negative, but you give them [the younger players] a run out, give them a bit of confidence, which they got by that defeat - they can leave the Bernabeu with their heads held high."
Liverpool can be proud of their display in the Beranbeu and could have got something out of the game, argues Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson.
The Reds, who made a number of notable omissions for Tuesday's match, slipped to their second defeat to Madrid in as many weeks - with Karim Benzema's 27th-minute strike settling the contest.
Real entered the game on the back of 11 successive victories in all competitions, a run which has saw them score an incredible 46 goals in the process.
Liverpool's heavily-altered starting line-up, allied with Madrid's emphatic recent form, would have led the most die-hard of Liverpool fans to question their side's chances against the European champions.
But Thompson suggested Brendan Rodgers' side could have no regrets on how they performed and pointed to a lack of fortune preventing them from getting something out of the game.
Giving his assessment on the game, Thompson told Soccer Special: "I feel happy about a 1-0 defeat and Brendan will be quite pleased with himself.
"But you never enjoy a defeat when you're part of Liverpool Football Club. There was great apprehension from the fans and everybody concerned (before the game) and in all fairness Brendan picked his side, went with it and they had to stand up - which they certainly did.
"You could feel when it got towards the last 20 minutes, when Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, and Coutinho came on there was a sense - particularly when Borini's free kick got a deflection off Luka Modric - that maybe it wasn't their day."
With one eye on Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers left talismanic captain Steven Gerrard on the bench, along with playmakers Raheem Sterling and Philipe Coutinho.
Thompson, however, would not let this detract from a number of players who stepped up on the biggest stage and ensured Liverpool were not on the end of an embarrassing defeat.
"In fairness to sum it all up the players will have enjoyed the experience playing here and I think they have all done themselves very proud," he added.
"Mignolet, who's had a difficult time recently, was brilliant and Kolo Toure at centre-back was great, so fantastic play all around."
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann was bewildered by Steven Gerrard's exclusion form the starting line-up in the Bernabeu.
Hamann, who won the Champions League in 2005 with the Reds, believes Liverpool's indifferent start to their league campaign has brought their top-four credentials into question, and questioned why Rodgers would deny Gerrard the opportunity to start in the Bernabeu for what could be the last time.
"It would be interesting to know if he did speak to his captain to leave him out, because I can imagine he wasn't too impressed because you're not sure if they will get in the top four this season, so it may have been the last time he goes to the Bernabeu," Hamann said.
"To play there is the ultimate experience, so it would be interesting to know whether he did speak to him before the game, or even ask him whether he is OK with leaving him out.
"He thought they are going to Madrid and are going to get beat anyway. You may say it's negative, but you give them [the younger players] a run out, give them a bit of confidence, which they got by that defeat - they can leave the Bernabeu with their heads held high."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hit back at criticism of his team selection against Real Madrid by insisting the team’s performance provided an ideal response.
The Reds boss left out the likes of Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling as he made eight changes for the 1-0 defeat in the Bernabeu with one eye on Saturday’s visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea.
That prompted condemnation from all quarters with former England international Gary Lineker saying it was “not befitting of a club of Liverpool’s stature”.
But despite the loss Rodgers was pleased with the display. “We haven’t been a team with a consistent run of form at the moment,” he said.
“The changes were the team I thought would get us a performance and a result: we got a performance, unfortunately we didn’t get a result.
“I go with my gut feeling and that was the performance we had on Saturday (a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle) was not as good as we wanted but it was also what we planned out over a series of games.
“Every game is a big game and for me I didn’t see this as a big showcase game where I had to play the so-called names.
“It might have seemed a gamble but for me it wasn’t.”
Asked for a response to Lineker’s criticism he added: “I think the performance says the words.
“Gary is a figure who I respect and was a top player in his day but he’s never been a manager so he has never truly understands what it is like in terms of picking players.
“I respect his opinion but I think the words were played out by my team. “The performance was far from throwing the white towel in.
“Right to the very end my players put in a performance befitting of the wonderful club this is. That would be my answer.”
Leaving out the likes of Gerrard was a big call by Rodgers but he said the players took it in their stride.
“The players were fine, there was no issue. They all understood and respected the choice,” he said.
“There is a squad to use and I am very fortunate I have a group of honest players and they know a name is irrelevant to me – it is not about big names being left out, it is about players playing well whether they are young or old.
“I spoke to Steven over a week ago and told him my plan for the next number of games and he is a true professional.
“Irrespective of the Chelsea game we picked a team to get a result and all those who weren’t playing tonight doesn’t necessarily mean they will play against Chelsea.”
PA
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hit back at criticism of his team selection against Real Madrid by insisting the team’s performance provided an ideal response.
The Reds boss left out the likes of Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling as he made eight changes for the 1-0 defeat in the Bernabeu with one eye on Saturday’s visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea.
That prompted condemnation from all quarters with former England international Gary Lineker saying it was “not befitting of a club of Liverpool’s stature”.
But despite the loss Rodgers was pleased with the display. “We haven’t been a team with a consistent run of form at the moment,” he said.
“The changes were the team I thought would get us a performance and a result: we got a performance, unfortunately we didn’t get a result.
“I go with my gut feeling and that was the performance we had on Saturday (a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle) was not as good as we wanted but it was also what we planned out over a series of games.
“Every game is a big game and for me I didn’t see this as a big showcase game where I had to play the so-called names.
“It might have seemed a gamble but for me it wasn’t.”
Asked for a response to Lineker’s criticism he added: “I think the performance says the words.
“Gary is a figure who I respect and was a top player in his day but he’s never been a manager so he has never truly understands what it is like in terms of picking players.
“I respect his opinion but I think the words were played out by my team. “The performance was far from throwing the white towel in.
“Right to the very end my players put in a performance befitting of the wonderful club this is. That would be my answer.”
Leaving out the likes of Gerrard was a big call by Rodgers but he said the players took it in their stride.
“The players were fine, there was no issue. They all understood and respected the choice,” he said.
“There is a squad to use and I am very fortunate I have a group of honest players and they know a name is irrelevant to me – it is not about big names being left out, it is about players playing well whether they are young or old.
“I spoke to Steven over a week ago and told him my plan for the next number of games and he is a true professional.
“Irrespective of the Chelsea game we picked a team to get a result and all those who weren’t playing tonight doesn’t necessarily mean they will play against Chelsea.”
PA
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