Liverpool Plot Summer Move for Southampton Forward Jay Rodriguez

Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on raiding Southampton once again as Jay Rodriguez has emerged as a target for Brendan Rodgers in the ongoing transfer window.

The Daily Mail claims that the Reds manager is a staunch admirer of the 24-year-old forward. The Northern Irishman has been successful in securing the signatures of Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana and is also looking to prise Dejan Lovren away from the south coast club.

Rodriguez was earlier linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur for teaming up with his former boss Maurico Pochettino. But now he has become the fourth player that Rodgers is luring away from St Mary's this summer.

The Merseyside club are scouting for attacking reinforcements as they will be without their last season's top scorer, Luis Suarez, who moved to Barcelona for a fee believed to be £75m.

Reports suggest that the former Swansea City boss will be handed the entire amount to strengthen his frontline as he seeks an ideal replacement for the prolific Uruguayan international.

Rodriguez played 33 Premier League fixtures for the Saints last season, scoring 15 times and garnering three assists in the process. The Burnley Academy product will be out at least till October after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester City in April. The injury had dented his hopes of playing for England in the World Cup.

It remains to be seen whether the newly appointed Southampton boss, Ronald Koeman, will allow rival clubs to continue picking players from his squad before the transfer window closes.

The 51-year-old Dutchman, who gave his first press conference in England, revealed that Rodriguez is recovering well from his injury.

The former Ajax and Feyenoord boss also warned that it will take at least half a season for the forward to be back at his best.

"It's going well. He is working very hard to come back but he's still in the third, fourth, fifth month of that and he needs some more time to recuperate from the injury he had. He is working very hard and I am impressed how he is doing," Koeman explained.

"It's very tough when the team is starting training sessions and you have to go inside for fitness. You need a strong character and he is showing that but he will come back and maybe he will be the best transfer in the winter break," he added.