What Virgil van Dijk could be seen doing after Adam Lallana went down injured during Southampton 2-3 Liverpool

Adam Lallana was reacquainted with some of his old Liverpool teammates at the St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.

The Southampton No.10 was named in the starting XI by Russell Martin for the visit of Arne Slot and his Premier League leaders, but lasted just 37 minutes before a hamstring injury cut his afternoon short.

It was not how the England international would have liked events to pan out against Liverpool – although he will have appreciated what Virgil van Dijk did in response to the injury.

Virgil van Dijk first to check on Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana and the Dutchman know each other well, having made 43 appearances together for Liverpool.

This relationship was there for all to see as Van Dijk was the first to go over and check on Lallana, who Jurgen Klopp loves, after the 36-year-old hit the deck due to his hamstring problem, with Mohamed Salah the one to swiftly kick the ball out of play, noticing his old teammate was hurt.

Curtis Jones also came over to check on the man from St Albans – showing that he remains a popular figure amongst the Liverpool dressing room.

Adam Lallana lucky to stay on the pitch for Southampton

Martin was fortunate to have the luxury of being able to replace Lallana – who admires Alexis Mac Allister – with Joe Aribo, as Samuel Barrott really ought to have dismissed the attacking midfielder for his challenge on Ryan Gravenberch.

Roy Keane also believes the Southampton No.10 should have seen a straight red card, making the comments at the interval live on Sky Sports.

Had Barrott made the correct call – those in the VAR booth should have provided greater assistance, too – then Liverpool surely would have experienced a simpler afternoon, as Southampton fought back to lead Liverpool by two goals to one.

Perhaps it was simply a case of Slot’s side losing some rhythm as a result of the international break – although the Dutchman would have been pleased to see his side recover to secure all three points, thanks to a double from Salah.