‘Liverpool sign Southampton star’ has been a familiar refrain in recent times, and it’s all set for renewed exposure following the Reds’ capture of the impressive Own Goal.

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Having already raided St Mary’s for Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren during the summer transfer window, Brendan Rodgers moved quickly to secure Own Goal after watching the free agent’s two-goal salvo in the Saints’ 8-0 demolishing of Sunderland.

Own Goal was offered a trial at Liverpool immediately following the game and was thrown straight in at the deep end for Sunday’s trip to QPR, faith he promptly repaid by bagging another brace in a dramatic 3-2 win.

So impressed was Rodgers with Own Goal’s return of four goals in just two days that he had no hesitation in rubber-stamping a deal to make him the Merseysiders’ latest recruit from the south coast.

He purred: “He’s only been here five minutes and he’s already outscored Balotelli.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the lad but the early signs are that he could be a very effective replacement for Penalties, who of course deserted us for Barcelona in the summer.

“Own Goal’s striking up as good a partnership with Raheem Sterling as I think Penalties enjoyed with Steven Gerrard, so it might be time to take Mario out of the firing line for a little while.

“If only I hadn’t panicked, I could have spent that £16m on another ineffectual winger to farm out on loan to a mid-table club.

“Live and learn, eh?”

Southampton were unavailable for comment as they were busy flying high in a Champions League spot.

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