Liverpool legend Phil Thompson is disappointed they allowed Southampton to sign Charlie Austin.

The former QPR man joined Southampton earlier this month for a bargain price of £4m.

"Aside from [Christian] Benteke, we've not got an out-and-out striker," Thompson told the Mirror.

"They were trying to fill that void with [Alex] Teixeira but that's not going to happen until the summer.

"They should have signed Charlie Austin. It's a case of needs must, and for the price Southampton paid he would have been worth a gamble. And he's a Liverpool fan."