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It was a footnote on a night when Liverpool reached new heights under Jurgen Klopp.

But Brad Smith's brief cameo at St Mary's marked a remarkable change in fortunes for the Academy graduate.

The Australia international full-back, who replaced Alberto Moreno for the closing 13 minutes at St Mary's, showcased his talents when he helped deliver the final blow in the Reds' 6-1 rout.

Bursting down the left flank, Smith's inviting cross was gleefully headed home by hat-trick hero Divock Origi.

Just three weeks ago the 21-year-old defender didn't even register on Klopp's radar. The New South Wales-born youngster was still in limbo.

Smith's contract at Liverpool had expired back in June.

The Reds' offer of a new deal had been rejected on the basis that his representatives believed he would get more playing time and more cash elsewhere.

However, Smith was never released by Liverpool. The club stood their ground over the past six months and continued to hold his registration.

With Smith under the age of 24, the Reds would have been due a compensation fee if he had signed for another club.

Smith's camp wanted Liverpool to put a price on Smith, but they were merely informed that any suitors would have to take their chances at a tribunal.

It's a new toughline policy from the club designed to ensure that they don't get short-changed if the talent they have nurtured decide to walk away.

IN PICS: Liverpool hit Southampton for six

It could come into effect again in the near future with both Jordan Rossiter and Jerome Sinclair out of contract come the end of the campaign.

No longer will Liverpool be a soft touch.

The fear of what fee a tribunal would come up with for a young full international full-back meant that nobody was willing to take a gamble on Smith. He had a trial at Barnsley in September which came to nothing.

It would be wrong to say that Smith ceased to become a Liverpool player because over the past six months he continued to be paid by the club on the wages of his previous contract.

But the only football he had played was for Australia Under-23s.

Finally, last month Smith's camp went back to Liverpool and informed them there had been a change of heart.

He wanted to stay put and was willing to accept the deal that had been on the table.

In mid-November he penned a new long-term contract and from that day onwards he has been training with the first team at Melwood.

Smith quickly impressed Klopp with his attitude and application in training with the manager delighted to have greater cover at full-back.

With Joe Gomez out for the season, Jon Flanagan not yet ready to make his comeback and Jose Enrique failing to impress the new boss, the opportunity was there for Smith to challenge Moreno for the left-back spot.

After watching his 45-minute outing for Liverpool Under-21s against Manchester United on Monday night, Klopp opted to name him in the squad to face Southampton.

His outing at St Mary's was only his second senior appearance for the Reds. Brendan Rodgers had handed him his debut as a second-half substitute in defeat away to Chelsea in December 2013.

There was a spell on loan at Swindon last term before the dispute over his contract reared its ugly head.

Quick and powerful, Academy staff always had high hopes for Smith, who has been on the books since he was 14.

A Liverpool career which looked to be over is now very much back on track.