Why Romeo Lavia didn't play in Southampton's Championship opener vs Sheffield Wednesday

For just the second time this calendar year, Southampton lined up for a league game without Romeo Lavia in the starting XI.

The much-discussed 19-year-old midfielder was a ray of light amid a bleak second half of the season as Southampton tumbled out of the top flight in last place. Yet, for those of a south coast persuasion, Lavia's Premier League performances may have been a little too impressive.

After such a memorable debut campaign at the highest level, why would new Southampton manager Russell Martin leave Lavia on the bench for the entirety of the Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday?

Here's everything you need to know about Lavia's conspicuous absence.

When did Southampton play Sheffield Wednesday?

The Saints began their first season of second-tier football since 2012 on Friday night. Sheffield Wednesday were also making their Championship return after an unlikely promotion via last season's play-offs.

Martin only selected one summer arrival in his starting XI as Ryan Manning slotted into left-back after his free transfer from Swansea City. Shea Charles, the only addition that has cost the Saints a fee in the current window, watched on from the bench alongside Lavia throughout the 90 minutes.

Charles, much like Lavia, is a defensive midfielder poached from Manchester City's youth team. The 19-year-old, who could cost up to £15m, can play either alongside or instead of Lavia.

Even without Charles or Lavia, Southampton had a monopoly of the ball against the Owls. Only one Championship team since 2013 has ever completed more passes than the 930 racked up by the Saints on Friday. Yet, the visitors had to wait until the 87th minute before Che Adams nabbed the winning goal.

Nathan Tella's fizzing drive - via the back of Adam Armstrong's head - gave Southampton the lead after eight minutes before Lee Gregory fired Wednesday level in the second half. Adams was teed up for the winning goal by James Ward-Prowse.

The England international has been linked with a move away all summer but cleared his mind to not only start for Southampton but don the captain's armband. Martin evidently didn't have the same faith in Lavia's abilities at compartmentalisation.

Why didn't Romeo Lavia play for Southampton against Sheffield Wednesday?

Ironically, Lavia's final Premier League appearance for Southampton came against Liverpool, the club that appear to have turned the teenager's head. During a chaotic 4-4 draw on the last day of the season, Lavia limped off in the 63rd minute (when Liverpool were 4-2 up) with an injury.

Lavia had 68 days to recover from a minor knock and was fit enough to make Southampton's bench against Wednesday. It seems that the former City starlet didn't get on to the pitch because he has been the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the off-season which is beginning to build towards a crescendo.

Arsenal and Chelsea also registered strong interest in Lavia this summer, as revealed by 90min after both clubs - along with Liverpool - held talks over a possible deal for the teenager.

Southampton have remained firm on their stance that Lavia will only be sold for £50m. Arsenal have already splurged more than £200m while Chelsea are locked in endless negotiations with Brighton regarding Moises Caicedo. Liverpool, meanwhile, have cranked up their attempts to prise Lavia out of the south coast.

Is Romeo Lavia moving to Liverpool this summer?

Midfielders were always going to arrive at Anfield this summer. In the wake of a thoroughly underwhelming fifth-placed finish as Liverpool's fearsome press creaked to a halt with ageing legs in the middle of the park, Jurgen Klopp had to refreshen his team's core.

The expected departures of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers underscored this point, but Liverpool had not prepared for both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to accept lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League this summer.

Liverpool worked quickly to secure the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister who was swiftly joined by Dominik Szoboszlai but the Saudi exodus has accelerated the club's pursuit of Lavia.

Klopp sanctioned an opening offer for Lavia at the end of July worth £35m plus add-ons which was rebuffed by Southampton. Liverpool had a second bid - valuing the teenager at £42m - rejected the following week.

Southampton are keen to keep Lavia as they target an immediate return to the Premier League. However, the Saints are willing to sell a player they bought for £10.5m last summer if a suitor matches their steep £50m valuation.

Liverpool are readying a third offer for Lavia but may be forced to look elsewhere if an agreement cannot be reached. Fluminense's Andre Trindade has been floated as a viable alternative.

The Reds will surely add a third face to their new-look midfield this summer - whether it is Lavia remains to be seen.

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On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Toby Cudworth is joined by Graeme Bailey to discuss the next steps in Bayern Munich's Harry Kane hunt, Brighton rejecting another Chelsea bid for Moises Caicedo, who has had the most impressive transfer window so far & more!

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