Adam Lallana was one of the stand-out players on Saturday as Liverpool claimed a crucial victory over Queens Park Rangers at Anfield. Philippe Coutinho and Steven Gerrard took the headlines but Lallana was excellent on his first start in almost two months.
SEE MORE:
The comprehensive Liverpool transfer list – rating 46 players linked with the Reds
Five things we learned from Liverpool’s win over Queens Park Rangers, including Lallana analysis
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The £25m man has endured a difficult first season on Merseyside, one that has been plagued by variously niggles and minor injuries that have just prevented him from building up any sort of momentum. But now we’ve seen what he has to offer – the running, the energy, the pressing – perfect for the way we play.
We’ve certainly had to struggle along with our fair share of bad luck this season, so with that in mind we’ve taken a look at each of last summer’s signings and taken a stab at predicting how they’re going to get on next season.
Read our predictions below…
9) Mario Balotelli
It’s been a miserable season for the Italian; just four goals in all competitions, with only one of those coming in the Premier League, it’s hard to see him having much of a future on Merseyside. He’s not been given many chances – with just two top flight starts since the turn of the year – but part of the reason for that is the fact that he simply doesn’t fit into our system. He needs an out-and-out strike partner and he’s unlikely to get one any time soon.
2015-16 Prediction: Sold
8) Rickie Lambert
It was good to see Lambert given a rare chance to shine against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. He did well too, laying on the first goal for Philippe Coutinho. Did he do enough to buy himself another season at Anfield? It seems highly unlikely. He’s not an impact player. He’s not going to come on for ten minutes and make a huge difference. He needs time on the pitch and a team built around him, as it was at Southampton. He’s simply not going to get it.
2015-16 Prediction: Sold
7) Javier Manquillo
It’s been an uninspiring start to the Spaniard’s loan spell. He’s barely featured since the turn of the year. However, it seems nonsensical to send him packing with a year left on his deal, especially after the injury to Jon Flanagan. With Glen Johnson also out of contract come the end of the season, Manquillo is currently our only recognised right-back. That should be enough to ensure that he stays put, even if it’s just in a stop-gap back-up role.
2015-16 Prediction: Back-up
6) Lazar Markovic
Has shown flashes of his ability this season and little more. He needs to be show a bit more faith by Brendan Rodgers. Continually hauling him off at half-time isn’t going to do much for his confidence. Rodgers also needs to work out Markovic’s best position – is it out wide, is it through the middle, is it behind the striker? All of the above have been trialled thus far. The Serbian will hope to get a few more chances next season and improve statistically.
2015-16 Prediction: Semi-regular
5) Divock Origi
Liverpool need goals and you can’t imagine that the Belgian is going to be spending another season playing anywhere other than at Anfield. He’s struggled a touch at Lille this season, scoring just nine times in all competitions, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to life on Merseyside. He’s a player with wonderful potential and it would be great to see him playing at least a small role in next season’s proceedings.
2015-16 Prediction: Semi-regular
4) Dejan Lovren
It’s hard to work out Dejan Lovren. He was very poor during the early part of the season, no doubt weighed down by his huge price tag. However, since he’s come back from an extended spell out of the team, he’s definitely been better. What hasn’t helped his cause is the fact that the results have been poor, although it’s scoring goals that have been our major problem recently. It will be interesting to see where he stands when Mamadou Sakho returns.
2015-16 Prediction: Semi-regular
3) Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard has had a pretty solid start to his Liverpool career. At £12m it’s certainly fair to say that he’s been value for money. A couple of high-profile mistakes held him back early on but considering his age and potential it’s hard to see him failing to progress moving forward. Brendan Rodgers has kept faith with him thus far and he’ll look to reward that show of confidence by continuing to improve next season. It could be a big year for him.
2015-16 Prediction: Starter
2) Emre Can
What’s interesting here is whether he’ll start the season as a defender or a midfielder. What will have a big say on that is who we sign during the transfer window. As it stands, he’ll need to retain the same sort of versatility he has done this season – playing in both defence and midfield. The departures of Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson are going to leave two big holes to fill and Can will be among the top candidates for both. He’ll be very important.
2015-16 Prediction: Starter
1) Adam Lallana
He was one of the best players in the Premier League last season and thoroughly deserves his move up the footballing food-chain. He’s still only 26 so he should be just coming into the peak years of his career. With Gerrard gone, the Reds are going to need a creative midfielder to make them tick. Could Lallana be that man? If he can put this season’s injury problems fully behind him then he could be in for one of the best years of his career.
2015-16 Prediction: Key player
