Adam Lallana (End of contract, BHA)

You got any stats on successful intercepts, tackles made, aerial ability?

And I bet the other two are less likely to be pushed off the ball as easily as Adam.

Interceptions is all about being able to read the game, I would rate Lallana pretty highly when it comes to game intelligence.

Tackling is of course important but not the most important attribute for a deep lying playmaker when playing along side a defensive midfielder.

Aerial ability? Maybe you should have a Google of Kante's height or maybe Makelele while your at it and they are defensive midfielders, I think Lallana would excel playing along side a defensive player like them ie Can (6ft 1in)

This is a forum for discussion, maybe instead of just squashing ideas because you don't agree with them you could provide more reasoning for your opinions?

Interceptions is all about being able to read the game, I would rate Lallana pretty highly when it comes to game intelligence.

Tackling is of course important but not the most important attribute for a deep lying playmaker when playing along side a defensive midfielder.

Aerial ability? Maybe you should have a Google of Kante's height or maybe Makelele while your at it and they are defensive midfielders, I think Lallana would excel playing along side a defensive player like them ie Can (6ft 1in)

This is a forum for discussion, maybe instead of just squashing ideas because you don't agree with them you could provide more reasoning for your opinions?

I have given you my views if your not happy with them take it up with Jürgen as I think he might be thinking along my lines rather than your viewpoint.

And eh how am I trying to stop you talking sh*te. 

Only joking 

Lallana is going to be in interesting one to fit in a starting XI as Mane is also known for a high press win the ball back mentality.

We have lacked goals from the wide areas something terribly and in the end it's a numbers game; I think he will probably become a rotation type player due to injury or when Coutinho/Firmino/Mane hit a rough patch.

Though defensively he is good; I have a hard time seeing him in a back two with Can; I just don't think he is physical enough for that. He is slight of build (like Joe) and I believe Klopp want's a bit more stature from those back two.

The addition of Mane gives us more option and combos for the manager to work with however I think Lallana becomes the utility man from here on out; always playing one way or another but not considered in the best XI.

Never want to see Firmino or Coutinho out wide again unless due to injuries.

Lallana could possibly play Attack CM or CM imo. Hes good left wing, but has 0.00 pace by his own admission.

I don't think Mane is a right winger. We'd probably also need a right winger. Anyways i think hes more in competition with Firm and Coutinho.

our last game against Sevilla was our strongest attacking line up (on paper), But the lack of pace and penetration in wide areas was glaring.

Never want to see Firmino or Coutinho out wide again unless due to injuries.

Lallana could possibly play Attack CM or CM imo. Hes good left wing, but has 0.00 pace by his own admission.

I don't think Mane is a right winger. We'd probably also need a right winger. Anyways i think hes more in competition with Firm and Coutinho.

our last game against Sevilla was our strongest attacking line up (on paper), But the lack of pace and penetration in wide areas was glaring.

Really.....from what I remember we got steam rollered in midfield.
Along with the likes of Coutinho and Lallana forgetting their defensive duties

Really.....from what I remember we got steam rollered in midfield.
Along with the likes of Coutinho and Lallana forgetting their defensive duties

Hardly ever have I seen Lallana forget his defensive duties. At times he was the only one in midfield trying to actually get the  ball back.

Hardly ever have I seen Lallana forget his defensive duties. At times he was the only one in midfield trying to actually get the  ball back.

You would have to take your Adam blinkers off FL to notice anything negative about Lallana 

You would have to take your Adam blinkers off FL to notice anything negative about Lallana 

Not at all, but the same could be said for you and your criticisms. It doesn't matter what good he does, it's never good enough for you.

Not at all, but the same could be said for you and your criticisms. It doesn't matter what good he does, it's never good enough for you.

I have never critisised his effort previously just his numbers as an attacking midfielder but on this occasion and you will have noticed I also mentioned Couts because the system we play as a 4231 means the 3 have to also put in a shift.

Maybe we ran out of steam at the end of a long season.

I have never critisised his effort previously just his numbers as an attacking midfielder but on this occasion and you will have noticed I also mentioned Couts because the system we play as a 4231 means the 3 have to also put in a shift.

Maybe we ran out of steam at the end of a long season.

I'll concede that if you are looking for 15 goals a season from Lallana then we got the wrong guy and I will concede that he has squandered some chances in front of goal for sure.  I will not concede however that he probably works harder tracking back and pressing than probably anyone else on our team.

I think it would be an interesting exercise to see how many times other players have had squandered shots or chances on goal. My theory is that Lallana gets himself into some really good positions and so when he squanders a chance, it's very noticeable, but the  positive is that he's  put himself in the position to score to start with (doesn't excuse him missing mind you)...vs some of the other players (like Coutinho) that maybe aren't in those positions to score as much as they should be. If I recall, Phil has a lot of goals from long range. That's great but why is he not getting more of the chances in front of goal like Lallana (and I would say Firmino) is getting?

Really.....from what I remember we got steam rollered in midfield.
Along with the likes of Coutinho and Lallana forgetting their defensive duties

that was an issue from a defensive standpoint.

our attack was MEH

didnt offer much when we had the ball

I'll concede that if you are looking for 15 goals a season from Lallana then we got the wrong guy and I will concede that he has squandered some chances in front of goal for sure.  I will not concede however that he probably works harder tracking back and pressing than probably anyone else on our team.

I think it would be an interesting exercise to see how many times other players have had squandered shots or chances on goal. My theory is that Lallana gets himself into some really good positions and so when he squanders a chance, it's very noticeable, but the  positive is that he's  put himself in the position to score to start with (doesn't excuse him missing mind you)...vs some of the other players (like Coutinho) that maybe aren't in those positions to score as much as they should be. If I recall, Phil has a lot of goals from long range. That's great but why is he not getting more of the chances in front of goal like Lallana (and I would say Firmino) is getting?

   
                                         Lallana.                  Coutinho.                      Firmino

Shots inside the area            0.9                          1.62                               1.26

Total Shots                          1.47                        4.27                                2.03

Shot Accuracy                     52%                         44%                                 54%


That's from 2015/16 season my take of it is that Adam doesn't shoot as often as the other two and when he does he is accurate but tends to find the keeper rather than the net.

No one seems to have moaned about Lallana for over a month so lets sort that out!

Where does everyone see his future with the new arrivals? He had our 3rd highest appearances last season after Mignolet and Clyne so it's hard to imagine Klopp dropping him entirely.  It's also hard to imagine he's going to be happy warming the bench.

With Origi, Sturridge, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho, Ings, Wijnaldum and potentially (although doubtfully) Markovic all fighting for 4 places in attacking positions it's hard to see where Lallana is going to fit.

For me his best position is behind the strikers although with Phil and Firmino he isn't going to get a sniff there.

Thoughts?

I've been supportive of him since he was signed, and I think he is in many ways the ideal Klopp midfielder.  However, he (Adam) has a huge problem now that Mane and Wijnaldum have arrived, as both are more likely (IMO) to offer more of a goal threat from the AM positions.  That's his Achilles heel, and has been since he arrived.
His direct competition for places is now likely, as you say, to be vying with the two Brazilians for the position behind the striker(s). 
I'm sad to say it but I see him as a bench option this season, unless we have injuries.  A useful role, as we may need his pressing to tighten up a game we're winning, but not - I suspect - one he'll be happy about.

I've been supportive of him since he was signed, and I think he is in many ways the ideal Klopp midfielder.  However, he (Adam) has a huge problem now that Mane and Wijnaldum have arrived, as both are more likely (IMO) to offer more of a goal threat from the AM positions.  That's his Achilles heel, and has been since he arrived.
His direct competition for places is now likely, as you say, to be vying with the two Brazilians for the position behind the striker(s). 
I'm sad to say it but I see him as a bench option this season, unless we have injuries.  A useful role, as we may need his pressing to tighten up a game we're winning, but not - I suspect - one he'll be happy about.

There's proper competition for places. Our happy problem. Finally. I don't really care, as long as the most competent player starts.

Called for Lallana in midfield a few months ago and seems Klopp is having a look at him there this season. Very quiet in the first half but did well in the second getting a goal and an assist

Called for Lallana in midfield a few months ago and seems Klopp is having a look at him there this season. Very quiet in the first half but did well in the second getting a goal and an assist

I had the same idea too but I just hope he knows he can't afford to dither on the ball like he does when further up the field.

I had the same idea too but I just hope he knows he can't afford to dither on the ball like he does when further up the field.

Absolutely, like you lads I'd thought perhaps his position lies that bit deeper and then breaking beyond. Very surprised to see him caught in possession though, certainly not something I expect from Adam as he's usually quite aware of his surroundings. Chalk that one up as getting used to a new position. In the second half he was much better and when he links quickly with other players he can be very effective indeed.

Personally I thought all 3 of our midfielders required someone stronger on the ball behind them, while we might have won I think the problem in there was clear. The spaces onto and around the sides of the back 4 were too big and I'd love to see either Grujic or Can coming in quickly. Think both are much more aware of the spaces that are created by opposition runners, it's not always best to just leave the centre exposed because you're tracking, some of our players need to learn where the danger comes from and where the bigger danger is building. Something I'd point to Lucas as a prime example of knowing and it's much more in the head than it can be easily taught on the training pitch.

Called for Lallana in midfield a few months ago and seems Klopp is having a look at him there this season.

It can do no harm biki especially if it works - remember how successful it was when Brendan done something similar with Stevie (nearly won the league)? 

Personally I'd prefer a 'specialist' was deployed there but a good player can play a lot of positions. Like I said in another thread: the only concern is that the same folk, who yapped (and F***ing yapped) about "square pegs in round holes" back then, don't do it now. I have a feeling they won't but you never know. 

Absolutely, like you lads I'd thought perhaps his position lies that bit deeper and then breaking beyond. Very surprised to see him caught in possession though, certainly not something I expect from Adam as he's usually quite aware of his surroundings. Chalk that one up as getting used to a new position. In the second half he was much better and when he links quickly with other players he can be very effective indeed.

Personally I thought all 3 of our midfielders required someone stronger on the ball behind them, while we might have won I think the problem in there was clear. The spaces onto and around the sides of the back 4 were too big and I'd love to see either Grujic or Can coming in quickly. Think both are much more aware of the spaces that are created by opposition runners, it's not always best to just leave the centre exposed because you're tracking, some of our players need to learn where the danger comes from and where the bigger danger is building. Something I'd point to Lucas as a prime example of knowing and it's much more in the head than it can be easily taught on the training pitch.

That's a good post bud and you're bang on. I actually advocated Lallana playing in the midfield three in the pre-match thread but having seen him in the role I'm not so sure. I would agree that a stronger player needs to be playing in there, Can is the obvious choice but I really hope Grukic can push for a start over the next month or two. Brilliantly taken goal from Adam though, if he could give us another 9 of those this season we'd all be shouting about what a bargain he was at £25 million.

I thought it was diabolical the way Lallana gave up possession of the ball like on Arsenal's first goal. Much better second half, though, and a very well taken goal! A lot of rustiness combined with his usual flashes in that display.

Klopp really does love Lallana doesn't he? He's squeezing him in as a CM now and I really don't think he suits there at all.

If someone has to make way for Can to come in then Lallana would be my pick.

Klopp really does love Lallana doesn't he? He's squeezing him in as a CM now and I really don't think he suits there at all.

If someone has to make way for Can to come in then Lallana would be my pick.

Screw that...Gini or Hendo can ride the bench for Can to come in.