OPINION
Phil Neville’s remarks on Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana following his side’s 4-1 win over Cardiff City on Saturday showed why Jurgen Klopp must stick with the 30-year-old.
The BBC pundit delivered his verdict on the attacking midfielder’s performance against the Bluebirds and shared not only did he think that the player tried to make things happen, he believes Lallana is only four or five games away from his best form.
“There’s Lallana who is just coming back from injury and we know how quality a player he is, every time he gets on the ball Lallana, he tries to make things happen,” said Neville on BBC One’s Match of the Day repeat (Sunday October 28th, 9:06am).
“Today, I think he is four or five games yet from getting back to where he is at his best because of his long injury.”
If Neville is right about Lallana only being four or five games away from his best form then Klopp has time to keep faith in the player.
This is the case despite the midfielder submitting a lacklustre display during a cameo appearance against Red Star Belgrade in mid-week and an uninspiring performance against Cardiff.
While Lallana showed glimpses of his ability against the Bluebirds, which Neville highlighted when he pointed out the player tried to make things happen, they were fleeting moments.
It’s clear the veteran midfielder is still struggling to build his fitness up after not regularly playing football for a while, due to constant injury niggles and needs time before he can be judged.
Given that Neville points out that Lallana is a type of player that takes games by the scruff of the neck, then it’s worth Klopp still continuing to hand him vital minutes to get back to his best, as a fully fit Lallana could be an asset.
The Reds have constantly racked up positive results this season but at times they don’t look like they’ve been firing on all cylinders to get them, with perhaps some a little too comfortable.
Lallana is the type of player who makes everyone raise their game as he never appears to be satisfied and always tries to extend his side’s lead even when they are comfortably ahead.
This sort of fire tends to inspire his teammates and it could help the Reds throughout their season in their quest to lift as many trophies as possible.
While Lallana is lacklustre at the moment following Neville’s verdict is clear why Klopp has to continue maintaining his faith in the player by using him, as he could still prove useful yet this season.
