Liverpool star Adam Lallana says he has some regrets about the manner in which he left Southampton for Anfield in the summer.
The England international completed a £25million switch to Anfield from St Mary’s after the World Cup, and has gone on to establish himself as an important first team player under Brendan Rodgers.
He fired the winner at Crystal Palace to set up an FA Cup quarter final with Blackburn last weekend, and is in line to face his former club for the first time since leaving this Sunday.
“I’m not stupid enough to think the way I left didn’t leave a sour taste in a few people’s mouths,” Lallana told BBC Radio Solent.
“The way I left I regret, I regret bits and pieces of how it happened and it got nasty. It was sad the way it happened.”
Lallana spent 14 years on the south coast, having been signed from Bournemouth’s centre of excellence as a youngster.
He helped the club from League One to the Premier League during his Saints career, but the 26-year-old is still unsure as to what reception he will get upon his return.
“Deep down I hope Saints fans appreciate the times we had at the club together,” he added. “Football is a fickle game – if I do get the jeers and the boos I’m just going to take it as them missing me playing down there because I miss Southampton.
“I miss the fans and I miss the good times we had down there. Of course I do.”
