When Jurgen Klopp took over at Liverpool, few would have imagined that just under a year later, Adam Lallana would emerge as one of the first names on his team-sheet.
In fact, many wanted the Englishman out of the side altogether – assuming Klopp would eventually discard the playmaker once he got to stamp his mark on the side.
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How wrong they were.
Now, Lallana is essential to Liverpool’s tactics, shape and style; setting the tempo for our defensive press and beginning many of our attacks.
“I knew him from Southampton – brilliant player. He can play different positions, quick, smart player – very important,” Klopp told a press-conference before Friday’s Chelsea game, reported in the Echo.
“He’s [Lallana] a nice guy as a neighbour. I have other nice neighbours who aren’t as good at football!”
Lallana scored our crucial third goal at Anfield on Saturday, and notched on the opening of the season away to Arsenal too – meaning he’s halfway to his Premier League goal tally of last season (4) already.
Considering he’s playing a deeper, central midfield position, this is all the more impressive.
He’s already well on way to proving he was completely worth the £25m fee we spent to acquire him in 2014. Klopp’s been brilliant for Lallana, but it’s important to note the player’s been great for him too.