Adam Lallana says he is enjoying playing in his deeper-lying midfield role this pre-season – explaining that Jurgen Klopp very much sees a future for him in that area once he gets used to it.
The Reds looked excellent against Lyon on Wednesday night with Lallana playing in that role, and while he might not play there week-in, week-out, the England international has certainly shown that he can be an option there.
It was Klopp’s idea to try him there and the experiment has worked well enough so far that it could be attempted in competitive matches at some point soon.
Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com, Lallana said: “It’s nice. I found myself playing there a few times this pre-season and I’m happy to play anywhere. I’ve enjoyed it, obviously getting on the ball.
“There are still aspects of the game I need to improve on and I’m sure I’ll learn the more I play there. I’m delighted to get some more minutes and build my fitness. [The manager] has mentioned I can play there [and] that I’ve got the ability to play there.”
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Against lesser opponents, especially at Anfield, it could make a lot of sense to play Lallana as the number six. He’s got great vision and ability on the ball, but he’s never had pace and probably doesn’t have the physical capacity to aggressively press high up the pitch as he did early on under Klopp.
Many thought he would be sold this summer, but Lallana might have once again reinvented himself. Off the pitch, he’s a great leader and an experienced member of the squad, and he might be able to offer a lot more from his new position on the pitch from now on once he fully gets to grips with it.