Adam Lallana was touch and go whether to start against Manchester United last night, Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed.
The midfielder, who’s been nothing less than a revelation this season, injured his groin against Swansea City before the international break and had only been training for two days ahead of last night’s Anfield clash.
After an hour though, Lallana was brought on for Daniel Sturridge and immediately changed the game – helping us retain possession but also create space and chances in the final third.
SEE MORE:
Loris Karius speaks phenomenal De Gea; the man whose rise he must emulate
“He’s a good player, so it was no surprise,” Klopp told reporters at his post-match press conference, cited in the Daily Star.
“But he trained for two days – maybe he could’ve started, I don’t know, he was really close.
“Thank you to the medical department, the fitness coaches, because they did a great job. After two days training, he could’ve played, but no one knows for how long. When he came in he was really sharp, greedy, after 12 or 13 days, to feel the ball again.”
The main thing is that the 28-year-old will be ready for West Brom next weekend, a game he’s a certainty to start in.
Hopefully Gini Wijnaldum can regain health too and Klopp can start with the side that’s become more or less first-choice this season.
That’s Jordan Henderson holding, Lallana and Wijnaldum either side and a front-three of Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.