Conversely, before the window closed yesterday at Anfield, the Reds agreed to let the 26-year-old forward leave in search of first-team football in order to augment his playing experience.

The striker will initially join on a season-long loan deal, but Saints will have an obligation to buy him next summer. He has signed a four-year contract and could make his debut for his new club against former side Burnley on Saturday.

The fee agreed between the clubs, which comes into effect on July 1, 2019, is an initial £18m ($23m) with an extra £2m ($2.5m) in performance-related add-ons. Liverpool have also agreed a 20 percent sell-on clause in the deal. Ings is understood to be relishing the chance to relaunch his Premier League career on the South Coast after an injury-plagued three years at Liverpool.