The key to Liverpool’s title challenge
Adam Lallana has been the forgotten man at Anfield since his struggle for fitness began last preseason, but can he drive Liverpool to glory?
His cameo in the Champions League final left a lot to be desired for the simple fact that he was playing out of position and, oh yeah, his name is not Mo Salah.
Lallana’s injury woes held him to just 15 competitive appearances, per Whoscored, with only one appearance in the starting XI. His persistent thigh and hamstring issues went largely unnoticed due to the Red’s deep run in the UEFA Champions League, but his absence was glaring as Liverpool scraped by in the quest to finish top four in the league.
Following such a frustrating campaign, the tenacious playmaker faces stiff competition for places in what is becoming a crowded midfield. His prospects for playing time looked even more bleak when it was reported that the arrival of Nabil Fekir was a done deal. After a prolonged love affair with the Frenchman, the deal seems to be dead (for now) and manager Jurgen Klopp has indicated that Liverpool’s transfer dealings are complete.
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Lallana is poised to fill the Fekir/ Coutinho-sized hole in the Liverpool midfield and the Englishman is beginning to look like his old self again. In an energetic 45 minute cameo on Wednesday night against a young Manchester City the midfielder was employed on the right wing, in a strengthened team.
He drifted to his preferred position centrally with Nathaniel Clyne making overlapping runs in support. Lallana was relentless in the pressing game and made his presence felt from sideline to sideline. On a hot night in New Jersey, the former Southampton man showed no sign of slowing down before making way for Sadio Mane at the break.
Lallana has been aggressively pursuing a return to peak form after an injury-ridden campaign left him at home watching as his compatriots made a run to the World Cup semifinal. His return to form may even be the key to Liverpool’s title challenge.
When Klopp’s heavy metal football took the Premier League by storm in the 2016/17 campaign, Lallana was an integral cog in Liverpool’s attacking engine room. He was relentless, winning the ball high up the field and creating chances for the side’s fabled front three. He contributed 8 goals and 7 assists, which proved to be one of his most productive campaigns.
His tirelessness and ability to quickly transition from defense to attack in a more advanced role will be vital to realizing Klopp’s vision. Alongside Keita, Lallana will offer another creative outlet in the midfield that will help to shoulder the load Liverpool’s attacking trio carried last season. The productivity of Keita and Lallana in the middle of the park, which has been lacking since Coutinho’s exit, will make the Red’s attack even more potent and multi-faceted, while adding a defensive prowess that the little magician, Coutinho, lacked.
Next. Liverpool’s 32 Best Signings Under Brendan Rodgers. dark
If Lallana is able to return to form alongside Keita, Liverpool can match the firepower of Manchester City and make a run at Premier League glory.