Charlie Austin told talkSPORT that he upped his game when playing alongside Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane at Southampton.
The QPR striker shared that you ‘never want to embarrass yourself’ because he understood the calibre of players he was performing alongside.
Prior to Van Dijk and Mane’s transfers to Liverpool, Austin would have seen them first hand ripping it up in a smaller spotlight before being snapped up by the Merseyside giants.
Alongside the Liverpool duo, Austin also names the now Ajax superstar, Dusan Tadic, as someone who made him up his game.
On whether he upped his game when playing with better players: “Yes, Tadic, Sadio Mane, Virgil,” said Austin.
“You never want to embarrass yourself. You will want to try and be better every time.”
The Liverpool players currently need Van Dijk on the field given how much they have missed him this season.
Just like at St Mary’s, he is an influential figure, both in terms of his performances, improving those around him and in the dressing room.
Liverpool have to get over that Champions League line this season because it will leave a big hole in the team if they aren’t competing with the elite next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
