There is something about being a player at Liverpool Football Club which is something of an enigma. There seems to be a black hole which sucks up the talent of footballers who were at least half-decent before they made the switch to Merseyside. This would aptly describe Adam Lallana’s Liverpool career thus far.
There doesn’t seem to be a better way to describe the transition that Lallana made from St Mary’s to Anfield better than being a drawn in by “a region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape.” In the 2013/14 season, the one before he made his transfer, he was superb. He racked up nine goals and six assists, and earned a place in the PFA Barclays Premier League Team of the Year.
In his first season as a Liverpool player his output, and his performances, was poor. He scored 3 goals and provided 5 assists in 23 games. This dismal output didn’t warrant the £25 million that the club forked out for him.
Fast forward, however and he has been one of Klopp’s stand-out performers in recent weeks. Most notably when the team has been lacking. Games like Norwich and Crystal Palace away, both spring to mind where he was the catalyst for change both times. His energy, fostered by Klopp, propelled the team to results that would have gone begging.
Despite being one of the three Liverpool players to miss a penalty in the Capital One Cup final loss, Lallana stepped up days later and scored the opening goal and assisted the closing one in a 3-0 demolition of Manchester City.
Lallana’s injury time winner at Norwich City was his first goal all season. Klopp will expect better from his attacking midfielders. Only Roberto Firmino has been a consistent performer this season and the two of them have linked up nicely in recent weeks.
Jamie Carragher spoke about the Englishman after his brilliant performance at Manchester City,“There is no doubting Lallana has ability. What he did in midweek, with a goal and an assist, was provide an end product to his game, which even he has admitted has been lacking.”
Lallana had a 91% pass accuracy against Crystal Palace showing just how good he can be when he turns it on. Klopp will need Lallana to do this in with big games against United, Spurs and United again.
If Lallana can find consistency in his performances and output there should be no reason he shouldn’t continue playing as a starter for Liverpool and if Roy Hodgson opens his eyes perhaps Lallana will be involved at the Euros. Maybe not as a starter but as an impact sub for sure. He has the quality and it is high time he showcased it regularly.