Do the Reds need the 26-year-old England international…?
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According to BBC Sport, Liverpool have made a bid for Southampton and England midfielder Adam Lallana.
The Reds just missed out on Premier League glory, but are still expected to invest heavily this summer ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.
If they were to agree a fee with Southampton for Lallana, the 26-year-old would surely jump at the chance to move to Anfield, in order to prove himself as a player of true international pedigree.
Here’s how we could fit into the Liverpool side next term…
Where he could fit in the side…
Lallana is as versatile as he is talented. Not only can he do a job from the left of midfield, but he can be deployed as dynamic central midfielder, too.
Under Rodgers though, Liverpool have rarely played with conventional wingers this term – so as to accommodate the strike partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, meaning a fluid midfield diamond has often been preferred.
If the Reds maintained this system next season, Lallana would likely be used as one of the midfield three. Gerrard is guaranteed to start in the anchoring role, while Henderson is also one of the first names on Rodgers’ team sheet because of his incomparable work rate.
As a result, Lallana could form an all English midfield trio, and be given the creative licence to get forward and join in with the attackers, thanks to the platform provided by Gerrard and Henderson.
He could also play at the top of the diamond, although Coutinho and Sterling have proved they’re more than capable of doing the job instead – or alternatively, start from the left if Rodgers decided to play a typical 4-3-3 system.
What he could provide the side…
Most importantly perhaps, Lallana provides a genuine goal threat from midfield. All of Gerrard’s 13 goals this term have come from set-pieces (including 11 penalties), while Henderson, Allen, Lucas and Coutinho have aonly contributed 10 goals between them.
Lallana’s notched nine on his own, and registered six assists too – which is only bettered in the Liverpool midfield by Gerrard.
Technically, Lallana is exceptional, which suits Rodgers perfectly as he demands his players to retain possession in tight areas.
He also contributes defensively, and prides himself on his ability to tackle and intercept, and close down the opposition.
He’s much more dynamic than Lucas, and is better offensively than both Joe Allen and Henderson – so on the surface, the potential transfer seems both sensible and exciting for Liverpool.
Only time will tell though if the midfielder could adapt to new surroundings and make the required step up in both expectations and performances.
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