Lallana: Klopp working hard to help No.10s click
Adam Lallana has revealed how Jürgen Klopp is working with Liverpool's array of No.10s to help them form a cohesive attacking unit.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are just two of the players in the current squad who, like the Englishman, specialise in playing off the striker.
But that does not mean that Klopp is unwilling to field all three at the same time, with the German coach keen to ensure they work well together in such an eventuality.
And Lallana says the players are happy to take any such advice from the manager, especially if it helps them all feature in the same starting XI.
"The manager has spoken about us making forward runs without the ball," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"Just because we play as a No.10 in that position doesn’t mean you can’t stretch the game or you can’t do some of the dirty work to help other players in the team.
"It’s about helping each other and whether that’s running off the ball or running with the ball, being unselfish, as long as it helps the team that is what the manager is focused on.
"I’m sure the manager would want a bit more time on the training pitch but as a player you want to be playing as much as you can.
"A football career doesn’t last too often so the more games you can fit in the better, and it always means that a game isn’t too far away to put things right and that’s what we are aiming to do."
The No.20 has started Klopp's three games in charge of the club so far, all of which have ended in draws.
Liverpool came agonisingly close to a maiden victory under the former Borussia Dortmund coach against Southampton on Sunday but conceded a late equaliser through Sadio Mane.
Lallana says the players are desperate to get the three points to boost the 'buzz' among supporters following Klopp's appointment.
"We are striving, we really want that first win and I’m sure the manager does as well," he explained.
"We can sense the buzz around Anfield and around the city as well. I think everyone has grasped that and everyone is just working hard to make things right.
"It was disappointing we drew the game against Southampton. Getting the goal and getting our noses in front, it would have been a massive result for us, but it just means we’ve got to strive and keep working harder to get the win we want."
On the new manager's enthusiastic celebration of Christian Benteke's opener, he added: "He’s a very passionate guy and he breathes energy and it spreads.
"It’s almost contagious and it gets onto the players and the fans, and I’m sure the more goals we get Anfield is going to be rocking."
Liverpool are back in action in the Capital One Cup this evening when they face AFC Bournemouth at Anfield.
And, after reaching the semi-final of both domestic trophies with the Reds last season, Lallana is keen to go one step further this term.
"It’s a great chance for us to go far, but Bournemouth are a tough team as they showed when they came to Anfield in the second game of the season," he continued.
"We got to the semi-finals of the competition last year and I think it’s important we try and work hard to get one step closer to the final.
"We got so close last year. At the end of the season we were so disappointed because we got to two semi-finals, so it’s important we take it seriously and try and get the win."