Lallana: It's so enjoyable to play in this team
Everybody can see that Adam Lallana is enjoying his football.
It’s obvious from the Liverpool midfielder’s performances so far this season, which have yielded seven goals and been a major factor in the team taking up residence in the Premier League’s top four.
Regular end product has been added to the industry which has always been a hallmark of Lallana’s game, with a new, more central position bringing the best out of the England international.
“Sometimes in football, you only need to make little changes to have bigger outcomes,” he explained.
Those alterations Jürgen Klopp decided upon in the summer have tallied together to make the Reds the most free-scoring side in the league so far this term, with a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals also secured.
Lallana credits the selfless mentality of the whole squad for that form. “That’s a big factor in why we’re doing well. We’re in it together,” the No.20 told Premier League Productions.
“There’s no individual that has got 20 goals for us this season and if they get injured or suspended, then it’s ‘What are we going to do?’
“A few people have been injured this season – Philippe, Studge, myself – and when we’ve been out, we’ve managed to cope. Obviously we’d rather them not be injured or get suspended but things like this happen.
“With European football next year, there would be more games and possibly more injuries and suspensions, so we need to have a good squad. We’ve shown that this season.
“It’s just so enjoyable to be in a team like that, where every individual puts the team first. That’s showing.
“I read that there has been 13 different goalscorers in our team. That shows we’re not relying on just one or two, it’s the team factor. That’s a big reason why we’re doing so well.”
There is a common theme in each of the press conferences which follow Liverpool games.
No matter what the result – a resounding win or a frustrating loss – Klopp quickly highlights that his team are capable of significant improvement.
“The minute you think you have made it or think you have pushed yourself to the limit, and there’s no more to learn, you’re going to see yourself going the wrong way,” said Lallana.
“Every one of our players wants to keep learning and improving, and the manager is installing that into us. If we can keep that up all season and going into next season, I’m sure we’re going to be successful.”
Where the Reds have undoubtedly been successful in 2016 is Anfield.
Klopp’s men have not suffered a defeat at home in any competition since late January, making for a run of 23 matches without a loss in L4.
And as they prepare to host Manchester City in their final outing of the year tonight, Lallana is thriving on the sense of fear opponents may feel when they visit.
He added: “We spoke at the beginning of the season about building some momentum at home. We’ve definitely got that this season.
“It’s nothing in particular, it just feels good when you’re playing there and it’s home at the end of the day. If you can get a good feeling being at home, it’s going to be difficult for any other team that comes and plays.
“Hopefully we can keep this run going, because we’re enjoying playing there and teams are obviously finding it a little bit intimidating coming to Anfield.”