Liverpool’s most improved player looks like he won’t get the chance to show his old employers what they’re missing on Saturday.
In the mid-2000s, a Liverpool shorn of the inspirational tendencies of Steven Gerrard was an entirely different proposition. As was a Luis Suarez-less outfit in Brendan Rodgers’ pomp, a far cry from toothless but with notably less bite. Therefore, it’s a credit to the multi-talented, multi-faceted squad that Jurgen Klopp has constructed that the potential absence of Adam Lallana does not dramatically shorten the odds of a defeat to Southampton at the weekend.
The reborn playmaker sparkled in the opening exchanges of England’s glamour draw with Spain on Tuesday, dispatching a penalty before hobbling off midway through the first-half. As yet, it is touch and go whether he will be fit to feature against his former employers on Saturday.
Evolving from a subtle pivot with more style than substance into the blueprint of the complete attacking midfielder, fitted with tireless running, relentless pressing, clever link-play and a new-found clinical streak, it’s fair to say he’s quite a big miss. After all, Lallana has started all but one of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures this season. The game he missed? Arguably their most bland performance of the campaign, the goalless stalemate with Manchester United.
But, in stark contrast to recent years and eras gone by, Klopp has an array of alternatives at hand. Perhaps the powerful, aggressive Georginio Wijnaldum will slot in or the versatile James Milner will return to his favoured role. Maybe there will be an opportunity for Divock Origi, even Daniel Sturridge, with Roberto Firmino dropping back. It’s these moments when Klopp warrants his wages.
But, if he’s still got a fair bit of mulling to do, perhaps the Merseyside matchgoers could give him a helping hand.
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