Adam Lallana has revealed how Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier gave him his blessing to quit the Saints for Liverpool in the summer.
The 26-year-old netted his first goal for the Anfield club in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion as he looks to repay his £25m transfer fee.
Le Tissier earned iconic status after scoring over 200 times in a 16-year spell with Southampton, and Lallana - who joined the club as a 12-year-old - says that the "great man" approved of his switch to Merseyside.
"I did speak to Matt and asked his advice. He's a great man, and a good friend of mine, someone I'll always look up to," he told The Mirror. "Whatever decision I made, he said he'd support me.
"A lot of the conversation I'd like to keep private, but it was great to speak to him. We're still friends to this day. He texts me every now and again."
England international Lallana made 265 senior appearances for the South Coast club and was instrumental in their journey from League One up to the Premier League
Shane Callaghan
