Liverpool fans were on the receiving end of some terrible news this international break. Front-man Daniel Sturridge, who has been in excellent form since the start of the season picked up a nasty injury during training while on national duty. While initial reports state that the 25 year old striker would be out of action for about the next 3-4 weeks, Liverpool fans have made their agitation and frustration with Roy Hodgson’s training methods known on Social Media sites.
However, amidst the dark cloud of ”Sturridge’s” injury, the return and the debut of Adam Lallana seems to have softened the blow on Liverpool fans. The 26 year old versatile midfielder has been out of action since picking up an injury on Liverpool’s pre-season trip in the United States. Having appeared in Liverpool Red for the first time this weekend in a closed doors friendly against Wolves, the former Saints midfielder netted the solitary goal of the game giving Liverpool fans a taste of whats to come.
Fitting in…
Brendan Rodgers is clearly a huge admirer of Lallana, spending a reported £25 million on the Englishman, the Ulsterman spoke to LFC’s official website saying, “We are confident he will fit perfectly with the culture we have at Liverpool.” While common sense states that Lallana might slot directly into the side following Sturridge’s injury with the formation taking a slight shift, Rodgers’ has at his disposal the likes of Lazar Markovic, Phillipe Coutinho, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Suso all fighting for first-team places.
Versatility in Midfield
If Rodgers were to stick to the midfield diamond which was so successful last season and against Spurs last weekend then probably the former Saints skipper would be asked to either play along side Stevie Gerrard on the Liverpool skipper’s left in place of Joe Allen or at the tip of the diamond, thus pushing young Raheem Sterling higher up the pitch to support Mario Balotelli as a part of a front-2 so to speak. The fact that only Jordan Henderson covered more ground than Adam Lallana last season is a testament to the fact that the 26 year old English midfielder is no slouch when it comes to defensive work or tracking back. Thus, making him a perfect candidate for the slot alongside Gerrard in the midfield when Daniel Sturridge return to the side after his injury lay-off.
The Lallana & Lambert combination
Rickie Lambert marked the beginning of a summer exodus at Southampton. He was followed to Liverpool by Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren as the window progressed. The fact that Lallana and Lambert have a telepathic understanding of playing together will also play on the mind of Rodgers as the season progresses. The pair who swapped St. Mary’s for Anfield impressed as a combination last season for Southampton combining to create 32 chances among themselves.
The question about whether Lallana will make the starting 11 regularly is down to the fact that if the 26 year old can recreate the form he showed for Southampton last season. With the squad depth as good as it has ever been at Merseyside for many a year according to Liverpool Legend Robbie Fowler, it will be hard-work for the England international to break into the first-team and cement his place with the quality and variety waiting in the wings. A midfield diamond with Stevie Gerrard playing as the quarter-back; with Henderson and Lallana beside him and young Raheem Sterling at the tip of the diamond, on paper looks to be the strongest. Every manager dreams to have such good headaches, now that Brendan Rodgers’ has got plenty of that it will be very interesting to see how he marshals his resources.