Topic: Adam Lallana

[Euskadi]

Boy, this fella puts in a shift doesn't he? A wonderful game, linking pay beautifully, quickly closing down the opposition. No wonder the coach loves him.

You clearly never watched the damning youtube analysis with its high tech arrows pointing to where the ball should have been passed... 

[Yorkykopite]

You clearly never watched the damning youtube analysis with its high tech arrows pointing to where the ball should have been passed... 

No I did see that. It rocked me to my foundations and I've been in compete denial ever since.

[adagara]

You can bash Lallana for everything he do or doesn't, but his pressing is what i love. Pressing at the blind sight of opposition players, the guy is intellegent at that. hence his new position in CM. Even seemingly light weight, he doesn't go hiding.

[Yorkykopite]

You can bash Lallana for everything he do or doesn't, but his pressing is what i love. Pressing at the blind sight of opposition players, the guy is intellegent at that. hence his new position in CM. Even seemingly light weight, he doesn't go hiding.

Also look at the video that someone posted on Sadio Mane. Count the number of times that Lallana moves beyond the ball into space, lengthening the pitch and offering options. See him drop into pockets of space when the pitch is already lengthened. And admire how exquisite his passing is - particularly the superbly deft little offering that puts Mane right through (should have scored really - and will when he gets used to Lallana's unusual gifts).

[tboz]

Our new version of Kuyt with more Guile, glad that he has managed to improve on the injury count from his Southampton days but really needs to add end product. With most of our attacking players when we are flying he looks great but when we are not he just looks wasteful but that maybe more to do with defensive players being able to control the game more.

[KingKolo]

Our new version of Kuyt with more Guile

Far too kind. Kuyt's goals and assists stats were always much better than anything Lallana has managed so far.

[Red Bird]

Now if'n he could convert more chances into goals ... He cleverly got into a very good position to attack that cross from Henderson but completely bollixed the execution.

[ZeusMetallica]

Far too kind. Kuyt's goals and assists stats were always much better than anything Lallana has managed so far.

Exactly. To me, Lallana is a poor man's Benayoun (who also had decent goals/assists stats).

[Halibut-Thumb]

If he learns how to finish chances he'll score 15+ goals this season.. He gets on the end of so many chances, he does the hard things like they're easy and makes the easy things look hard.

[adagara]

Also look at the video that someone posted on Sadio Mane. Count the number of times that Lallana moves beyond the ball into space, lengthening the pitch and offering options. See him drop into pockets of space when the pitch is already lengthened. And admire how exquisite his passing is - particularly the superbly deft little offering that puts Mane right through (should have scored really - and will when he gets used to Lallana's unusual gifts).

   Couldn't agree more. I think him Mane, Origi & Firmino should be first pick. They have every components to unlock any packed defense

[Redinho]

Love him to bits but he makes things harder on himself at times.  Last night he got a bass and tried to flick it / backheel pass it to someone else in the box, when he could have just taken a touch and had a shot on goal.

[007.lankyguy]

If he learns how to finish chances he'll score 15+ goals this season.. He gets on the end of so many chances, he does the hard things like they're easy and makes the easy things look hard.

He'll never score 15 goals a season. He's 28 years old, he's not going to become a finisher (if you even can 'become' a finisher anyway).

It's not what Klopp's judging him by either.

[paddysour]

Interested to see him up against Dier and Wanyama. Old school English thought would be that he'd be kicked off the park, but will they be able to catch him? They certainly won't like trying to pass the ball with him closing them down anyway.

[SquirrelandGman]

I know playing for england gets a lot of stick around here but I'm happy for the lad. Played well and deserved his first england goal.

Though I could have sworn he already has an england goal years ago or do friendlies not count?

[Garlicbread]

I know playing for england gets a lot of stick around here but I'm happy for the lad. Played well and deserved his first england goal.

Though I could have sworn he already has an england goal years ago or do friendlies not count?

Think that might have been given as an own goal later.

[So… Howard Philips]

Just hope he scores a few scruffy goals for us.

[lessthanmatt]

Comfortably the best player on the pitch tonight imo. He's honestly come on leaps and bounds since we first bought him - when he was written off as a complete waste by some people. Especially under Klopp.

Almost literally everyone is in agreement when it comes to what he needs to do to become a top player - add more goals! We know it, pundits know it, opposition fans know it, he himself knows it. So he knows what he has to work on. I really like Lallana

[SwordInYourGut]

Comfortably the best player on the pitch tonight imo. He's honestly come on leaps and bounds since we first bought him - when he was written off as a complete waste by some people. Especially under Klopp.

Almost literally everyone is in agreement when it comes to what he needs to do to become a top player - add more goals! We know it, pundits know it, opposition fans know it, he himself knows it. So he knows what he has to work on. I really like Lallana

Well, Klopp doesn't think so. He is playing as a CM in a 4-3-3 now, his role is different.

[lessthanmatt]

Well, Klopp doesn't think so. He is playing as a CM in a 4-3-3 now, his role is different.

You can chip in with a few goals from CM! I don't know what he is on paper, but he gets in enough good positions and areas to score more when he plays for us

[jooneyisdagod]

Currently a fixture in our line-up and rightly so. I think the move deeper has totally revitalised him and plays to his strengths, and suddenly he looks like he's jumped a couple of levels in his play. If we play a midfield three, Lallana must always be there. Emre Can is the other that must always be there. Henderson and Gini as the other options could work well in different types of games.

[Spanish Al]

Boy, this fella puts in a shift doesn't he? A wonderful game, linking pay beautifully, quickly closing down the opposition. No wonder the coach loves him.

He's brilliant isn't he? I can believe I'm still having to argue his point, defend him and tell people he is not making way for anyone in Klopps side. The boss loves him, he is the perfect Klopp player. I don't know why everyone is judged on goals and assists; surely contribution to the teams overall play is the main point?

On the ball he is dreamy. I don't care if he doesn't score 30 yarders like Coutinho, this lads contribution to our attacking and overall play is vital.

I've backed him for a break out season with goals this year and that's one for club and one for country in the first few games now. Possibly my favourite player, heightened by some peoples hatred of him and the abuse he gets.

[Yevgeny]

Like him a lot. Even when he wasn't showing much of a cutting edge I loved his workrate. Runs himself into the ground every week for the team. I think the new position suits him better, even if he's still learning how to play it. Fancy him to get more goals this season arriving late in the box from midfield, a la the Arsenal goal. His lack of pace holds him back in a wide position.

[Tobelius]

He still at times fails to release the ball in time to not run into blind alleys(a lot less now than when he started with us),other than that Adam is great.   

[SwordInYourGut]

You can chip in with a few goals from CM! I don't know what he is on paper, but he gets in enough good positions and areas to score more when he plays for us

He can and he will. But that few won't be 10-15 and it isn't expected of him from CM.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Was only half watching because it is England and I could not care less, but he was the player that stood out most to me. If Rooney had done that turn and shot (the one that hit the post) the commentators would be creaming themselves.

His goal was really well taken. I know they were down to 10 men, but the way that England broke down Slovakia could serve as a good example for us against the weaker teams. It was good to see how they were switching the play and the way Stones was pushed right up. Also, very encouraging to see Lallana be the key man in England's attempts to get past the parked bus. Food for thought that game.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

I like him a lot. His finishing can be frustrating, but his effort, his skill on the ball, the way he sees the game and the space on the pitch are all excellent.

[LFCEmpire]

Good player, glad we bought him from Soton at the time. Still has room to improve.

[stockdam]

Last night he got a bass and tried to flick it / backheel pass it to someone else in the box, when he could have just taken a touch and had a shot on goal.

What was a fish doing on the pitch (or was it a beer)?

Anyway, he played well last night and scored a good goal. His work-rate is getting more consistent and I hope he now starts to score many more goals.

[SerbianScouser]

I don't know why everyone is judged on goals and assists; surely contribution to the teams overall play is the main point?

The reason why people were pointing that out was because we finished 8th , had we finished in the Top 4 last two seasons I`m sure it wouldn`t have been that much of an issue. Luckily Klopp has realized that we have enough good attackers now and can push Lallana back into the CM where his superior technique can give us an edge rather than using him as a final third player where his lack of goals shows.

[Spanish Al]

The reason why people were pointing that out was because we finished 8th , had we finished in the Top 4 last two seasons I`m sure it wouldn`t have been that much of an issue. Luckily Klopp has realized that we have enough good attackers now and can push Lallana back into the CM where his superior technique can give us an edge rather than using him as a final third player where his lack of goals shows.

Well yeah, RAWK and LFC fans need scapegoats.

Just been checking out his league stats for us and he has 10 goals and 10 assists in 49 starts and 10 sub appearances. Not bad is it for someone who struggled with niggling injuries? I think if he managed to start 30 league games then he could get more as he'd have a more settled period in the team.

[Yorkykopite]

He's a superb footballer, constantly taking the defence on and making things happen for his team. The nutmegs, flicks, back-heels are not luxury add-ons. They are a devastating part of his attacking repertoire. His running off the ball is quite brilliant, especially from the deep, as he seems to spot opportunities before anyone else on the pitch. I don't blame anyone for not 'getting' Lallana but I do pity them a bit. It must take away some of the enjoyment of watching the game.

[Crosby Nick]

other than that Adam is great.   

Fordy?

[SerbianScouser]

Just been checking out his league stats for us and he has 10 goals and 10 assists in 49 starts and 10 sub appearances. Not bad is it for someone who struggled with niggling injuries? I think if he managed to start 30 league games then he could get more as he'd have a more settled period in the team.

Have you seen his England record? 1 in 27. Is that a record combined with his Liverpool stats that suggest he`s a finisher or a goalscorer in any way?

There really is no issue here at all; Klopp has moved him back to CM where his skills will be much more useful to us rather than asking him to do something that`s not natural part of his game - which is what he should have done last season as well. Lallana will be major part of our team and will play a shit ton of football this season in a different position to last season. There`s absolutely no reason to be annoyed or touchy about all this at all.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Well yeah, RAWK and LFC fans need scapegoats.

Just been checking out his league stats for us and he has 10 goals and 10 assists in 49 starts and 10 sub appearances. Not bad is it for someone who struggled with niggling injuries? I think if he managed to start 30 league games then he could get more as he'd have a more settled period in the team.

Quite.

Taking your stats a bit further, since Lallana has been at the club he has a goal or assist every 207-minutes in the Premier League, Coutinho in the same period has a goal or an assist every 201-minutes so very similar output yet only one of them gets criticism for their end product. Over a 38-league game season that’s the different of half a goal or assist.

The second half of last season when we scoring goals for fun, Lallana was one of our leading players for chances created and goals+assists and was level with Firmino and Coutinho for clear cut chances created.

The following stats were compiled by the excellent @BassTunedToRed on twitter and shows how Lallana has again been one of our most creative players so far this season:



This is without even looking at his work-rate and pressing which has seen us win the ball in dangerous areas on numerous occasions.

[Cpt_Reina]

Argument to be made that Coutinho hasn't been scoring or assisting enough for a player in the front 3 also however.

Two wrongs not making a right and all that.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Argument to be made that Coutinho hasn't been scoring or assisting enough for a player in the front 3 also however.

Two wrongs not making a right and all that.

I've been making that exact point recently, we don't have enough goalscorers in the front three and Coutinho is far too inconsistent to be used as a forward.

The point was more aimed at how 'player A' gets no-end of criticism for his end product and shooting ability for the last three years while 'player B' (who has about 3 x as many shots per season) doesn't.

[Spanish Al]

Have you seen his England record? 1 in 27. Is that a record combined with his Liverpool stats that suggest he`s a finisher or a goalscorer in any way?

There really is no issue here at all; Klopp has moved him back to CM where his skills will be much more useful to us rather than asking him to do something that`s not natural part of his game - which is what he should have done last season as well. Lallana will be major part of our team and will play a shit ton of football this season in a different position to last season. There`s absolutely no reason to be annoyed or touchy about all this at all.

Excuse me for not giving a flying shit about his England record. I'm just saying his Liverpool stats are not as bad as people, and you it seems, are making out. Don't care about England, I judge Liverpool players on what they do for our club.

I'm not trying to make out he is a great goalscorer so don't try and patronise by saying his lack of goals isn't an issue and not to get touchy.

His LFC stats are there for all to see. He is simply involved in more goals than people give him credit for. And I'm backing him to hit a few more this season providing he stays fit and hits at least 30 league games.

And thank you funky gibbons for providing those stats.

[penga]

I've been making that exact point recently, we don't have enough goalscorers in the front three and Coutinho is far too inconsistent to be used as a forward.

The point was more aimed at how 'player A' gets no-end of criticism for his end product and shooting ability for the last three years while 'player B' (who has about 3 x as many shots per season) doesn't.

Perception. Probably due to Coutinho's goals really sticking out in terms of hitting absolute screamers and also when he does score it is usually important goals against big teams.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Perception. Probably due to Coutinho's goals really sticking out in terms of hitting absolute screamers and also when he does score it is usually important goals against big teams.

I honestly think there's an argument for dropping Coutinho against low block sides until he proves he can be effective against them.

Last season, for example, his only goals against sides that finished below us in any competition were his screamer on the opening day against Stoke and the opener when we lost in Palace (the type of goal, like his second against Arsenal, he needs to be scoring more often if playing as a front three player).

[Kashinoda]

I've been making that exact point recently, we don't have enough goalscorers in the front three and Coutinho is far too inconsistent to be used as a forward.

The point was more aimed at how 'player A' gets no-end of criticism for his end product and shooting ability for the last three years while 'player B' (who has about 3 x as many shots per season) doesn't.

Coutinho has got a lot more consistent though, though I think games like Burnley stick out like a sore thumb and aid in a bit of confirmation bias.

For the two seasons (13-15) he was averaging 1 goal every 7 games. Last season he was averaging 1 goal every 3 games (League Stats)

Incidentally this season he's on a goal every 1.5 games