Lallana's delight at Reds' Clyne capture

The Reds concluded a deal for the full-back's services from Southampton on Wednesday afternoon, making him the sixth arrival so far this pre-season following James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino.

Lallana believes the Reds have secured a coup in landing the services of the England international, whom he played with for two seasons at Southampton between 2012 and 2014.

The pair struck up a close friendship at St Mary's and holidayed together in the United States earlier this summer - though there was little need for enticement as Clyne's heart was already set on Anfield.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Lallana said: "It's a massive signing for us. I played with him for a couple of seasons at Southampton and since they signed him, he's come on a lot.

"Last season he probably had his best season at Southampton, got an England call up and he's been a regular in the squad ever since.

"To manage to persuade him to sign for Liverpool - as I'm sure there would have been other top clubs, and even European clubs interested in him - is a great coup for us.

"I've spoken to him [about the move] and I was actually on holiday with him for a little bit this summer - we were in America together. I managed to speak to him about it there and I kind of knew it could be on the cards.

"His intentions were there and he was hoping the deal could get sorted.

"Liverpool explains itself. The whole world knows about Liverpool. I just said to him that I hoped the deal would get done as it'll be a great place for him to improve even more, especially under Brendan Rodgers' guidance."

Watch the video here »

Southampton snapped up Clyne from Crystal Palace three years ago and it was there the 24-year-old's career really began to blossom.

His steadfast performances for the Saints were rewarded with England recognition and a first cap was duly won in November 2014.

He's since held down a regular place in Roy Hodgson's squad selections, but Lallana insists he hasn't been taken aback by Clyne's rapid development and fully expects that upward trajectory to continue at Liverpool.

"I've not been surprised by his progress," said the Reds' No.20. "When Southampton signed him from Palace, you could see he had potential. Since then, he's developed and learnt the game - he's turned from a kid into a man on the pitch.

"He's as solid as they come for a right-back and getting forward, he's got goals in his locker. In one versus one situations defensively, he's the kind of full-back you just don't want to come up against.

"Off the pitch, he'll fit in absolutely fine. He's quite quiet and likes to just get on with his football, but he's a great lad and knowing the Liverpool dressing room, he'll fit in absolutely perfectly."

Liverpool's swift and decisive action in this summer's transfer market has been cause for excitement amongst supporters - and it's a sentiment shared by the players, insists Lallana.

"The signing so far have been tremendous," he said. "There's Firmino, Milner, Ings and now Clyne, as well as Bogdan and Gomez. It's a great variety and added to what we've already got, hopefully it can be a good combination for success.

"I think everyone's looking forward to getting back. We've got an exciting tour, but we've still got a few more days left of our holidays, which we'll enjoy because it's a tough and long season."

On a personal level, it's been a busy summer for Lallana, whose wife gave birth to their second child recently.

"It's not been too long [of a break], but I've spent time with the family," he said. "I've just had another baby boy - my wife gave birth on June 2. So it's been quite full on, really, in terms of bottle feeding and entertaining my three-year-old, too.

"It's been great fun. There've been a few sleepless nights, but not too many!"