Blog: Lallana becoming a symbol of Klopp's Liverpool
In our latest blog, Liverpool fan and writer Donovan Chandler takes a look at Adam Lallana's impressive recent form and how the 2014 signing is now making his mark at Anfield.
Jürgen Klopp is really starting to get things right at Liverpool. We’re moving in a recognisable direction under the German’s management and results are really picking up. But there’s no doubt that it has taken a while to get things right, and it has been a big adjustment for the players.
Few have risen to the challenge in the manner of Adam Lallana. As a former Southampton captain and pre-established Barclays Premier League star, you would have been forgiven for thinking the 27-year-old’s adjustment would have been easier to manage than most. But since his move from the south coast in July 2014, he has found it anything but ‘easy’.
Injuries have denied the build-up of momentum and the player himself has been the first to admit things haven’t exactly turned out as planned, but Lallana is now seriously starting to pay back the investment the club made almost two years ago.
As technically proficient as he is, the England international has needed to show a different side to his game. Since Klopp’s first match at Tottenham Hotspur, his Liverpool career has been on an upward trajectory. The No.20 has managed to combine his technical genius with a desire and tenacity that perfectly fits in with the manager’s footballing ideals.
In recent weeks, we have started to see the best of Lallana. It’s his wizardry and hard work that has stood out, and you could even argue that nowadays he’s one of the first names on Klopp’s teamsheet.
Fortunes can turn on a moment, and the attacker has been playing with a visible injection of confidence since his match-winning contribution in the 5-4 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road in January.
His injury-time winner meant more to the player than being the moment to decide one of the most dramatic games in Premier League history. It was a launching pad, a turning point from past disappointments and inconsistency.
He has moved from strength to strength since. Barring disappointment in the League Cup final, Lallana has made a massive difference to the Reds’ attack and fashioned himself as a new symbol of Klopp’s Liverpool.
He exacted revenge on Capital One Cup winners Manchester City just days after missing a penalty at Wembley – scoring the first goal in a convincing 3-0 win – and played a starring role in the destruction of Manchester United in the Europa League last week.
Lallana’s piece of second-half skill at Anfield was something to behold, but beyond that and his assist in the same game he has treated us to other moments of brilliance over the past few weeks. He’ll be working hard in the remaining weeks of the season to maintain – and improve – his current run to well and truly cement his place in this team for seasons to come.
Keep it up, Adam.
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