London - It has taken a long time for Liverpool's trio of ex-Southampton players to be able to point to a performance and say 'this is why we left', but there was ample reason to justify their desertion in Sunday's 2-0 win at St Mary's.
Not only did Liverpool's victory move them to within one point of their rivals for Champions League qualification, but it reinforced the belief that momentum in the battle for the top four is now firmly in the Merseysiders' camp.
For Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, who both started against their old employers and were roundly booed for their efforts, and Rickie Lambert, who was left on the bench, there was clear evidence that the season may be turning Liverpool's way.