Why Liverpool must stop pursuit of Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana

The signing of Rickie Lambert is great news for all LFC supporters. He was selected in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the World Cup and is a great addition to the current Liverpool squad. The fact that he is a Scouser will further endear Liverpool supporters. His nearly flawless penalty record and dead ball skills will be of great use to Liverpool. He will give a different dimension to the Liverpool attack and at £4.5 m is good business done by the Liverpool board. He will give Liverpool multiple options up-front, something which Iago Aspas and Victor Moses were not able to provide last season.

The same cannot be said about his Southampton team-mate and captain Adam Lallana. Lallana was Southampton’s player of the year and like Lambert was selected in the 23 man squad for the World Cup. His terrific displays for Southampton lit up the Premier League.There were reports suggesting that Liverpool made a £20 m bid for him which was rejected by Southampton. The bid was increased to £25 m and Southampton still did not look impressed; they apparently want £30 m for their star player. The fact that Southampton need to pass-on a sell on fee of 25 per cent to Lallana’s former club Bournemouth complicates things further. Lallana may have to hand in a transfer request to force his move to Liverpool. The transfer looks uncertain and may have to wait until the World Cup is over.

Southampton wanting £30 m for their left-back Luke Shaw is understandable. Luke Shaw is only eighteen and has great potential for someone at that age. He will have a great resale value as well. Lallana turned 26 recently and may not have a big resale value. Lallana has been terrific for Southampton, there is no questioning that. He was shortlisted for the PFA player of the year award. He was a part of the PFA Premier League team of the year as well; but is he really worth £30 m? Not so sure about that. He scored 9 goals in 38 games for Southampton; Raheem Sterling scored 9 goals in 30 games for Liverpool. Liverpool once paid the price for paying £35 m for Andy Carrol which was far above his true value at that time, they would not like to repeat their mistakes. They also overpaid for Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. Liverpool do not have the wealth of a Manchester City or a Chelsea, so money will have to be wisely spent. Brendan Rodgers apparently has apparently been given a £60 m transfer kitty plus anything rising out of player sales.

Liverpool have several alternatives if Southampton do not accept the bid; Xherdan Shaqiri being one. Available for around £15 m, he will be a great addition to the current squad. Liverpool are also tracking Cesc Fabregas, Yehven Konoplyanka, Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez . Alberto Moreno is also being linked to the club. Adam Lallana or not, this transfer window will be exremely important for Liverpool. I really hope that they sign some quality players this summer, players who will excite the fans and play the free-flowing attacking football that Brendan Rodgers wants.