Lambert: Adam can be a key man under Klopp
Rickie Lambert believes Liverpool fans will see the best of his old friend Adam Lallana under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp.
The 27-year-old has been included in the Reds' starting XI for the first two games of the new manager's reign, which ended in draws with both Tottenham Hotspur and Rubin Kazan.
As well as evidencing his trademark two-footedness and guile on the ball in those two appearances, Lallana has caught the eye with his adeptness for the high-pressing style Klopp is impressing upon his squad.
Lambert knows all about the playmaker's qualities having shared a dressing room with him at Southampton for five years prior to the pair joining Liverpool in the summer of 2014.
And the striker, who departed Anfield to join West Bromwich Albion in July, is not surprised to see his former teammate flourishing under the highly regarded Klopp.
"I think Adam will do really well under him," he told LFCTV.
"I think he'll give Adam a more important role within the team.
"Obviously it's hard to become a regular in the Liverpool team because there are so many good players, especially in his position.
"But if he gets a good run of games I truly believe he could be a great, great player.
"Klopp will get the best out of him."
Liverpool will target their first win under Klopp when Southampton visit Anfield on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League.
Lambert is regarded as a hero at St Mary's having scored 117 goals in 235 appearances for the south coast outfit before joining his boyhood club.
Offering his thoughts on how his former team are faring under Ronald Koeman, the 33-year-old said: "Last year I think they played the same as we had the year before.
"But this year they've gone - not direct, they're still a great passing team - but there are a few more long balls than when I was there.
"They get it up to [Graziano] Pelle a little bit earlier and when the ball [drops] that's when they like to play their football.
"They're still as effective and they're still a great team to watch."