Liverpool are set to axe Adam Lallana for Wednesday night’s Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich, according to Paul Joyce.
Writing in the Times, the Merseyside correspondent claimed Jurgen Klopp is expected to stick with 10 of the 11 starters from last Sunday’s 4-2 Premier League win over Burnley.
Lallana rose to the occasion with an excellent display after being recalled but Joyce predicts the attacking midfielder will make way for Jordan Henderson at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of the last-16 clash.
OPINION
In some ways, it won’t be a surprise if Lallana is left out of the starting XI v Bayern in favour of his good friend Henderson. The skipper’s energy and industry will narrow the gaps for the hosts to penetrate a Liverpool back line that will benefit hugely from the return of Virgil van Dijk, who missed the first leg due to suspension. However, Lallana was so effective against Burnley on Sunday it will be regarded as a shame for many, and a weakening of Liverpool’s attacking weaponry. The England international was integral to Liverpool swiftly bouncing back from Burnley’s early goal at Anfield, switching the play with a brilliant pass to Mohamed Salah for the opener, and then throwing himself into a full-body tackle on the edge of the box ahead of the second clinically finished by Sadio Mane. His technical excellence and ability to operate in tight spaces mak Lallana a special player. Liverpool are likely to be less dynamic without him.