Adam Lallana: The manager's trust is a big thing for me
Adam Lallana suspected he would thrive under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp from the very first days of the manager's tenure at Anfield.
The midfielder was on international duty when the former Borussia Dortmund coach was appointed as the new Reds boss, meaning a short delay in the pair meeting for the first time.
Both men were eager to make acquaintances too.
Klopp had been impressed by Lallana’s performances at Southampton, while the player himself was a keen observer when the German hosted his maiden press conference last October.
Once they did meet, they were quickly aligned and the No.20 has gone from strength to strength in the high pressing, high energy style of play installed in the team.
Lallana told Premier League Productions: “I remember his press conference – I was away on international duty and in my hotel room.
“Watching that, he was very enthusiastic. He’s just a character you can’t help but warm to. I was looking forward to getting back.
“I wasn’t sure whether I would be in the team, [but] I was just excited to start working with him. I kind of got him from the word go and I feel like our relationship has blossomed and got better ever since.”
Watch: Klopp on Lallana's importance
In truth, the 28-year-old has not looked back.
And in the opening weeks of this season, Lallana has shown signs that he’s stepping up another level, having bagged his second goal of the campaign in the win over Leicester City.
The England international said of Klopp: “I feel like I get him and get what he wants from us.
“Sometimes you don’t always have that with managers and managers probably get frustrated with players when they don’t take it on board.
“But with the gaffer, I just kind of feel I’ve got that connection with him where I know what he wants from me and what he wants from the team. I feel trusted by him, which is a big thing for a player.”