Klopp’s Liverpool, and finally Lallana’s too
The German manager’s arrival sparked warranted enthusiasm among fans, some of whom predicted a complete overhaul of players, including Lallana.
It has been anything but.
Klopp’s changes have been slow and imperceptible in personnel and more marked in style, training and fitness. Detractors and critics have been left stumped over the course of the gaffer’s fledgling reign as Lallana has been a regular feature of his side.
The manager’s first game was a goalless draw against Spurs at the White Hart Lane; Lallana literally ran himself into the ground during the game. The player falling into Klopp’s arms while being substituted on the night has been a hallmark of his Reds tenure.
The fixtures that followed have showcased more of the same, with the midfielder an unparalleled embodiment of Klopp’s gegenpressing style. One of his most memorable games in a Red shirt is the 5-4 win against Norwich – a see-saw game which saw the Merseysiders clinching all three points deep into stoppage time thanks to Lallana’s last minute winner.
The German has repeatedly reiterated the former Southampton man’s underlying importance to Liverpool’s play. In walking the talk, Klopp has included Lallana in as many games as has been possible given fixture congestion and allowing for recovery.
For his part, the player has worked on fitness and dietary habits, thereby ensuring that he lasts the distance during games with regular substitutions around 70 minutes no longer being required.
Lallana has started off the 2016/17 season in blistering fashion with 3 goals and 3 assists to his name in a newer, slightly deeper left-central midfield position. With freedom to move, swap flanks and more of the pitch ahead of him, Lallana is thoroughly enjoying his role.
It is his intangible contribution that is most effective though. He keeps setting records for distance covered by a player in a single league fixture – the 13.1 km he ran against Leicester City currently topping the charts (and breaking the 12.5km record he set against Spurs).
It is not about the numbers or pace though; his runs and work rate are important as he leads Liverpool’s press, harries and hustles opponents into making mistakes, while also contributing defensively with take-ons and tackles.
Following Lallana’s exploits against Hull City, in which he scored once and created two more for his teammates, Klopp effused praise on one of his favourite charges:
“Honestly, since I am here Adam is the player you saw against Hull. It’s not about always performing like this, it’s about working attitude, being involved in all the team things in all sessions. He likes to train, he likes to work, he was like this from the first day. This is now the credit he takes from the work he did.”
The undeniable impact Lallana has had though, is on the fan base. No longer accused of not scoring or contributing enough, his name is often the loudest sung on the Kop these days.
It is credit to the player’s attitude, perseverance and work rate, combined with complete assimilation of Klopp’s philosophy that has led to this remarkable shift in perception.In the days leading up to Liverpool’s home game against Manchester United, it is over his fitness - and not Daniel Sturridge or Divock Origi’s – fans were sweating about. If that is not telling enough impression, little else could be.
Lallana was brought on, on the hour mark against United and there was instant mobility and change in the way the home side attacked. Against West Brom, it was just a couple of minutes after he was substituted that there was a brief let up in midfield, causing unnecessary confusion.
The ex-Saints man was Liverpool’s ‘Player of the month’ for September and was also nominated as Premier League Player of the month for the same period. It is indeed heartening to finally see some long overdue recognition come Lallana’s way as fans begin to realise the ‘off-the-ball’ impact he has and not just in front of goal.
