Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp really likes Adam Lallana. No one can forget the image of Lallana rushing into the hug of Klopp that in more ways than one symbolises his style of play. No wonder then that he would feel this Lallana injury update as a blow.
The England international midfielder has already been sidelined with a thigh injury picked up during Liverpool’s Audi Cup final defeat against Atletico Madrid during the pre-season.
Initially, it was thought that the injury would keep him out of action for up to two months as reported by The Guardian earlier this month.
That in itself was a blow because missing a player of the calibre of Lallana for two months is a tough issue for the Reds. To make things worse, it is now being reported that the player could be out of action until December, by injury data analyst Ben Dinnery, who picked up a report from The Times.
#LFC midfielder could be missing for longer than originally anticipated. The Times report that Lallana "is likely to be out until December."
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) August 20, 2017
This is yet to be confirmed by the club and if done so, it will represent a major setback for the Reds as they also have the prospect of Champions League football to contend with. Of course, cynics will say that we are yet to overcome Hoffenheim but I do not see any problem in that.
Coming back to Lallana, the energetic midfielder was the epicentre of Klopp’s revolution last season. After scoring 8 league goals last season, propelling Liverpool to the fourth position, the 29-year-old was hoping to have a bigger influence this season.
It definitely is a big blow for Klopp to lose him until December and it remains to be seen if he delves into the transfer window for a replacement. Klopp already has Philippe Coutinho sidelined with a ‘back injury’.
There is also the prospect of losing Coutinho, although I do not see him leaving the club. This Lallana update would definitely stretch the squad and the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will have to shoulder more responsibility than expected.
As a fan, I would now want Klopp to get into the market and search for a quick replacement. Probably not a big-name signing, but definitely a utility player who can help Klopp manage his squad.
What do you think of Lallana’s injury update? How much effect will it have on our season?
