Southampton boss Russell Martin has provided the latest update on Liverpool’s transfer target Romeo Lavia after missing the EFL Cup defeat to Gillingham on Tuesday night.

Lavia was left out of the Saints’ matchday squad for the game against the League Two side and was also absent at the training camp yesterday morning.

Southampton rejected the Reds’ third bid for Lavia which is believed to have been about £46m including add-on after an initial bid of £34m plus £4m in add-ons was turned down last month before a second offer of around £42m was similarly dismissed last week.

The South Coast side reportedly want £50m for the young midfielder and are standing firm on their valuation, however, talks are still on-going between Liverpool and Southampton regarding the transfer of Lavia.

“We have a big group, but only so many players that can help us,” Martin told BBC Radio Solent. “There needs to be movement for sure. [Director of football] Jason [Wilcox] has been very honest about it, and he feels exactly the same way, and so do the ownership group.

“But also, there needs to be movement that suits us as a club. I don’t envisage anything changing between now and the weekend, but it’s football, right, so anything can happen.

“We’ll be prepared for everything and anything. The guys we left behind today isn’t out of lack of respect for the competition or anything like that.”

He added: “It’s about we need to see everyone out on the pitch at some point because we might need people. Some people we think might go might end up staying, and some people we think are gonna stay might end up going. It’s so fluid.”

The Belgium U-21 who remains keen on a switch to Anfield moved to the St Mary’s Stadium last summer from Manchester City and has four years left on his remaining contract.

Pep Guardiola’s outfit are entitled to 20 percent of any fee received for his services,

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