Adam thanks Kopites for 'that bit extra'
The delirium sweeping across the Anfield terraces at the full-time whistle on Sunday instilled a huge sense of pride in Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana.
Joy was unconfined for the capacity home crowd that had just watched the Reds claim a rousing 2-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester City and rack up an 11th game unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League.
Jordan Henderson had opened the scoring in a pulsating match-up with a piledriver into the top corner on 11 minutes, though the visitors were soon level through a well-worked Edin Dzeko strike.
But, as it did in the same fixture last season, the final word went to Philippe Coutinho, who settled the clash with a goal of stunning technique, precision and power from the left edge of the penalty area.
"I see Philippe doing it day in, day out. I'm not too sure about Hendo!" Lallana told Liverpoolfc.com with a beaming smile as he reflected on three hard-earned points.
"But he works on his shooting a lot, we all do, and it has paid off. What fantastic strikes both of them were, both worthy of winning any Premier League game."
For all his significant appreciation for the skills of his teammates, though, the largest portion of Lallana's praise was directed towards the Liverpool supporters.
On an afternoon when tired legs could have been forgiven following the side's exertions in Turkey on Thursday and extensive travel time, Kopites stepped up to the plate.
The Englishman said: "The fans were great today, they got behind us and I think they knew that we needed that little bit extra from them today. It helps, it keeps you driving on and we thoroughly deserved the win.
"The reaction from the fans and the players on the back of that win meant a lot to us. It's a little statement out there to the Premier League that we're playing well and we've got the momentum."
Lallana had already been denied in a one-on-one situation against Joe Hart and had a volley past the City goalkeeper ruled out for offside before Liverpool broke the deadlock through Henderson.
Those three chances were carved out in as many frantic minutes as a high-energy strategy in the early stages from Brendan Rodgers' charges forced the opposition back.
"That's how we like playing, how we feel we are at our best - on the front foot, harassing teams and starving them of time on the ball," the No.20 added.
"I thought we did that well, we had chances and we were disappointed to concede and not go in [at half-time] leading."
Sunday's victory lifted Liverpool up to fifth in the Premier League table as they chase down a Champions League qualification berth.
The next step in that objective is another Anfield encounter, with Burnley journeying to Merseyside on Wednesday evening to run out under the floodlights.
Lallana concluded: "We have picked up momentum since the turn of the year and we're just not looking back. We're looking at the next game, Burnley, already.
"It's not going to be easy - they are fighting for their lives down at the bottom and Sean Dyche has done a great job. They gave us a tough game at Turf Moor earlier in the season. Our only focus is on that game now and picking up three points."