Coming in for a fee of £25 million from Southampton before the beginning of the 2014-15 season, there was always going to be pressure on Adam Lallana. And being completely honest, he hasn’t payed back what Liverpool invested in him. Although, his recent performances under Jurgen Klopp suggest he may be taking a turn for the better.
There are always players that come under criticism because of who they are and that seems to apply to Lallana. In any football club there are players that the fans just love which seems to exempt them from any form of criticism. Unfortunately for Lallana, he doesn’t come under that category.
Klopp described Lallana as “a great, great player. And for our game very, very important because he is a real lively, energetic player. He loves the pressing and counter-pressing” to BT Sport.
One hears that from Klopp and thinks, he hasn’t done too poorly then has he?
Lallana has frustrated fans because everyone knows he is capable of so much more. When you watch him, you see a player with superb technical ability and an incredible work rate, but he simply hasn’t scored or assisted enough goals in his time at Liverpool and, being a creative player, that ultimately is his role.
Although, Liverpool fans can start putting a positive spin on Lallana’s performances of late. The man has been absolutely sensational and is certainly inking his name down in Klopp’s plans for next season.
He has always done a decent job, even before his recent rise in form. He tends to be one of those players who stands out less when compared to the likes of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, but he has done everything the supporters have wanted him to do recently and that is provide goals alongside assists.
It’s not rocket science. People take more notice of you when you have a goal or an assist next to your name. You stand out and look the part.
The turning point could very well have been that insane and ridiculous match against Norwich City in the backend of January. He came on and changed the game. An assist to put through Firmino to get the equaliser and then the winner in the dying moments which saw a real bonding moment between himself and Klopp.
Moments can change everything and perhaps this was it for Lallana.
Since then he has put in some really energetic and powerful performances. The one that stands out the most is Manchester City’s recent Premier League visit to Anfield. With Liverpool coming off a disappointing League Cup final, Lallana and his team mates had the chance to go again a few days later against the same opposition that did them in the cruelest fashion in the final.
What was so impressive from him that day was the hunger and determination he showed. He played a part in all three goals from Liverpool which included a great strike from outside the box to beat England’s No.1, Joe Hart.
The recent performance against Manchester United in the Europa League tie at Anfield was also very solid.
He was one of the few players that begun and started the pressing. Remember the days of Luis Suarez? He started it all off and the others followed. This very much applied with Lallana against United. He was one of the leaders and people followed.
Lallana’s numbers were also very good against Liverpool’s arch rivals.
Adam Lallana's game by numbers vs. Man Utd:
43 passes
4 chances created
3 tackles won
2 interceptions
1 assist pic.twitter.com/W3pH5wIcbe— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 10, 2016
One other area of Lallana’s game that is very likeable is how versatile he is. He can play off the left, he can play off the right or even off the front man.
However, one area of concern that the Anfield faithful have over Lallana is his injury record. It hasn’t been the best since his arrival, but things can only be looking up for the talented midfielder.
Whatever your opinion is on Lallana, you can’t deny he is a man in form and a man starting to find a place in Klopp’s plans come next season. His rise has been simply down to the fact that he has added two things to his game: goals and assists. He is becoming one of Klopp’s main men at Liverpool and that can only fill him with confidence in the famous red shirt.
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