Will Adam Lallana be the new Daniel Sturridge?

One-time Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge looks certain to leave Anfield on a free transfer this summer, but is Adam Lallana destined for the same fate?

There are a few similarities between the career paths of the two Reds. Both used to be important first team players, both have seen this diminish because of injury, form and fitness.

However Lallana is blessed with two factors which mean his Anfield career will probably last longer than that of Sturridge. He has longer left on his contract, and he has slightly less competition for places in his position.

While Dan’s deal expires this summer, Lallana has until June next year – with the option to extend for another year.

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The club aren’t really motivated to sell the 31-year-old, who still appears to be highly valued by Jurgen Klopp. And thus he could fall into a trap of his own making.

Too good to let go right now, with a contract that’s running out quickly, Lallana will probably be kept around the squad to fill in the gaps here and there without getting the football in his legs that the playmaker craves.

What would they get now for him? An over 30-year-old with one year left on his deal. £10 million? It’s almost not worth it to the club for them to sell. And there lies the rub.

With just 568 minutes of football under his belt this season, Lallana must know that his opportunities will be even more limited next season with the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

But it seems like Lallana is a good squad player, who appears to be well liked around Melwood. That type of individual is important to a club, even if they aren’t playing a huge amount of games.

And so because of that, it seems like he’s destined to be the new Sturridge. Not good enough to play, but too useful to let go. Until his deal runs out, that is.