THE phrase ‘good touch for a big man’ is often used in football parlance, as though the distance between mind and feet creates an immense obstacle for taller players.

Vertically gifted forwards are often typecast as target men, incapable of mixing it with the best when the ball is on the floor.

Paul Onuachu is as tall as they come in the Premier League. However, against Liverpool, the Nigerian showed that 'big men' are capable of much more.

With Saints rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, Russell Martin elected to change tact and handed six-foot-seven-inch Onuachu his first start of the season.

Martin confessed that Onuachu was unlucky not to start during any of the previous 11 Premier League fixtures. The 30 year old has impressed coaches in training following a difficult summer.

Southampton manager Russell Martin admitted Paul Onuachu was a beast in training following his returnSouthampton manager Russell Martin admitted Paul Onuachu was a beast in training following his return (Image: Stuart Martin)READ MORE: Southampton's Martin issues Onuachu and Lallana injury update

Southampton had hoped to cash in on the forward following his successful loan spell at Trabzonspor.

They received offers, namely from Turkish club Besiktas, but those terms fell short of the valuation Saints placed on a player they spent £15.5million to sign in January 2023.

Against league leaders Liverpool, Onuachu showed a side to his game rarely seen in red and white since his arrival at St Mary's nearly two years ago.

For the second time this season following a defeat to a top-four side, he left Saints fans questioning why he is not a regular starter.

Unperturbed by the Liverpool press, he twisted and feinted his long frame to disorient the Reds' defenders and create space to move Saints forward in attack.

The St Mary's faithful willed him on every time he touched the ball and he delivered countless moments to get them excited, despite not registering a shot on goal.

Onuachu's brightest moment came just before the break. He stooped low to nutmeg Ryan Gravenberch before bypassing Conor Bradley with a stepover and feeding Kyle Walker-Peters with a no-look pass.

Onuachu has always tried to beat defenders - stepovers are often his go-to device - even if he has not always got the desired results. His first action against Arsenal saw him skip past William Saliba.

His maiden start was only cut short when he went down early in the second half. Martin is hopeful the knock is nothing serious and suggested his withdrawal was likely down to fatigue.

READ MORE: Southampton's Martin responds to possibility of starting two strikers

The former Genk man had only played 129 minutes across all competitions this season prior to Sunday's defeat.

Onuachu's status for Friday's trip to Brighton will become clearer when Martin previews the game later this week.

If he is to keep his spot in the starting lineup, Saints have to maximise his abilities in the box.

Paul Onuachu's shot map at Trabzonspor last season. Purple=goal. Blue=On target. X=Off targetPaul Onuachu's shot map at Trabzonspor last season. Purple=goal. Blue=On target. X=Off target (Image: WyScout) Although Cameron Archer has impressed on the goalscoring front, he leads the scoring charts at Saints with four, he has, at times, been an isolated figure.

Archer is at his best when running towards goal but Saints have struggled to find him consistently. When the ball does reach him, he is often left with little to no support.

Onuachu's physical presence could negate this issue, should they succeed in using him optimally.

As seen on Sunday, he can hold the ball up, giving teammates time to reach the attacking third. It is also no secret that his size offers an alternative route to goal, something a goal-shy Saints should welcome.

Unsurprisingly, over half of his 15 Super Lig goals at Trabzonspor last season came from balls lofted into the box.

He has not received similar service this season and, as a result, has only registered two efforts on goal - both of those coming late on at Man City.

Neither effort came between the posts, as all forwards would desire. That is not surprising given that Saints are statistically the worst crossers in the division.

Paul Onuachu's chances against Manchester CityPaul Onuachu's chances against Manchester City (Image: Wyscout) They average the joint lowest accurate crosses per match (2.8) and have the worst crossing success rate at 19.5 per cent. 

We are not suggesting Saints need to resort to 'route one football', lumping the ball long comes with its risks, in the same way playing out from the back does.

With Alex McCarthy looking less comfortable with the ball at his feet, having Onuachu as an option can reduce the risk of repeating these mistakes even more.

Defenders will need to double up on Onauachu which, at times, will leave another forward free in the box.

Goals have followed Onuachu wherever he has played, his stint at Saints is the only exception so far. Now, nearly two years after his arrival, it is time to give him a fair chance to change that.