Liverpool fans were delighted to see Adam Lallana step up effectively for the Reds during their 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday after the 31-year-old was trusted to play in place of Fabinho.
Lallana was selected by Jurgen Klopp to play at Villa Park in place of Fabinho, with the Brazilian midfielder not risked ahead of this weekend’s game against Manchester City. Had Fabinho played and been yellow carded, he would have missed the crucial game against Pep Guardiola’s side through suspension, so it was Lallana who was chosen to play in his place, with Liverpool fans seemingly happy with how the former-Southampton man performed.
The creative midfielder originally joined the Reds from the Saints in 2014 and has gone on to make 164 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side. However, since 2017/18, the England international’s Premier League starts have been few and far between, so it was perhaps a surprise to see him get 84 minutes on Saturday.
It seems as if Lallana did a solid job in the absence of Fabinho and was rightly praised by Reds fans on Twitter, as can be seen in the tweets below.
really promising overall, was certainly not the issue in midfield.
— Grant Williams fan account (@jsham_23) November 3, 2019
Adam Lallana vs. Aston Villa
88% Pass accuracy
3 Chances created
1/1 Accurate long pass
7/9 Ground duels
5/5 Tackles won
1 InterceptionHe knows his capabilities, his strengths, his job and how to perform it. A very useful, and in many ways important member of the squad.
— Ziggy (@Gerald_yea) November 3, 2019
Played better than Henderson and Wijnaldum
— Fletch (@abxlxo13) November 3, 2019
Finding his way back to form after hardly being involved
— Kelly Cappellano (@Only4Queenie) November 3, 2019
He did really well. The problem is that most of us are quick to judge and write off our own players but we take long to change our opinion even when they are doing well. He deserves credit.
— Kalema Abdul Nasser (@AbdulKalema) November 3, 2019
Was the best midfielder of the starters
— Ashvin (@Ashvin11LFC) November 3, 2019
Was better than henderson
— Ashley (@GerrardEdition) November 3, 2019
It seems clear that Liverpool fans were delighted with the way Lallana performed against Villa, but will no doubt be hoping that Fabinho returns to the side against Manchester City.
What do we think?
Lallana has shown his importance to the Liverpool squad in recent weeks, first with a goal against Manchester United and now with a good display against Villa. It was the 31-year-old’s first league start of the season, so Jurgen Klopp will be delighted that he was able to fill in effectively in their weekend win.
Lallana will, of course, recognise that he is unlikely to start many games in this current Liverpool midfield and is out of contract in the summer, so he may decide to move on. Klopp may want to keep him however, perhaps on a reduced wage, after his recent performances have demonstrated his value as a good back-up for the regular starters.