So, how good is Lallana?

[rurikbird]

The problem with us is we get a talented player, spot a weakness, then work ourselves up into a frenzy about it, oh my god no, no we can't have any weaknesses in our team, no other big clubs tolerate weakness, oh no, whatever shall we do.

The opening post over thinks football way too much. The result is instead of us making the best of his talent, we end up sticking Lallana in positions and tactical set-ups to hide his weaknesses. The we spend all of the training sessions making him focus and improve that weakness.

Is it any wonder players come here and lose all confidence and become useless cunts. To his credit Lallana seems like a daft cunt who is perpetually happy. Markovic and Moreno not so much.

I think you're giving me way too much credit here. I may overthink all I want, but as my name isn't Brendan Rodgers or Jurgen Klopp I have absolutely no control over "sticking Lallana in wrong tactical set-ups" and "spending all the training sessions on weaknesses instead of strengths" (presumably teaching him to run faster? Don't think training's gonna help much). You would need to check with those 2 bellends as to why they are misusing Lallana's talent so much.

🙂

 

[RedStar]

His strengths are fairly obvious, hes got great technique which you can see from his impeccable first touch and close control, hes a positive player always looks to take people on or play an attacking pass, great work ethic and he never goes hiding or lets his head drop when its not going his way. His a good passer and one of our better finishers. His problems are he lacks any sort of pace to trouble defenders, he over elaborates on the ball and perhaps worst of all he doesnt know his own limitations which leads to him making ridiculous decisions and trying stuff thats never going to come off.

Hes a good player, we certainly overpaid but then we overpaid for most players in the squad. I think Klopp will improve him, make him more focused on the team and less of an individual. I dont think hes likely to improve greatly in terms of skill or ability but he may improve his decision making and start using the ball more effectively. I think Firmino and Coutinho are both more talented so a full strength squad probably sees him pushed out of the first XI. Hes not the sort of player you build a team around because he isnt consistent enough but Id be happy to see him stay with us and see what Klopp can do with him.

 

[rurikbird]

He twists and turns because he doesn't have the pace to beat a player. He also doesn't release the ball because he knows he doesn't have the pace or energy to follow up the pass with a burst into the box. I know how he feels. So that's why he keeps it until a killer pass opens up for him.

What we should do is tell the other players to trust he will keep the ball in tight spots and has the quality to play the pass. So instead of standing and doing nothing, or showing for a pass that won't come, the other players need to get into a dangerous position and be prepared to control the ball with one touch.

I was with you until the 2nd half of the last sentence. So if the other players shouldn't wait for a "pass that won't come" from Lallana, how the hell would they eventually get the ball from him? And if they will never get the pass, why would it make any difference if they are in a "dangerous position" or not?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Yossi played for us, Chelsea and Arsenal. He's about the same standard.

Two key differences ... Lallana has far better close control (so doesn't lose it as much) but Yossi was far more adept to playing quick, counter attacking footy.

 

[juniormember]

His first touch is consistently brilliant. Off both feet, received from any direction, under any pressure... That things sticks like fucking glue.

Yeah, he's more two footed than any player I can remember playing for us in the last couple of decades. His touch is unbelievably good as well.
But his end product... Sigh.. If only he could think just that little bit quicker, he'd be unplayable.
As it stands, for me he's Matt Le Tissier light, but with good work rate.

 

[juniormember]

Two key differences ... Lallana has far better close control (so doesn't lose it as much) but Yossi was far more adept to playing quick, counter attacking footy.

Still held onto the ball too much for my liking though. Very good player mind.

 

[dantes]

I was with you until the 2nd half of the last sentence. So if the other players shouldn't wait for a "pass that won't come" from Lallana, how the hell would they eventually get the ball from him? And if they will never get the pass, why would it make any difference if they are in a "dangerous position" or not?

Two different types of pass. Say he turns and beats a player, if Ibe is waiting on the wing think it through. Lallana passes it to him, even though he tries to move the player he just beat will catch up with him, Ibe has no pass on and loses it or goes backwards. After this happens once or twice Lallana figures out that it's not a good idea.

Ibe should forget about pass and move and get in the box. Let Lallana beat a few players, then he will play the pass, and be able to stand and admire the finish from Ibe.

 

[willby]

True, he's like a black hole – sucks up the ball and never releases it.

I'm kidding, he had a decent performance yesterday.

Great black hole analogy there btw 😀

 

[Portly]

I see Lallana as a "flair" player who can create goals by doing the unexpected. His dummy that led to Benteke's goal on Saturday was an example of that.

A player of that type often needs time to settle in and mesh with the other players. I don't believe we have yet seen the best of him.

 

[moron]

That bolded bit is just flat wrong. When he's on the ball he dallies too much at times, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with his workrate or his bottle.

Judge - he seems to slow, and holds onto the ball too long which is why I think he sometimes lacks the urgency required. By the time he makes up his mind the rest of the opposition are in position to cut out any threats from his passes.

One odd thing I would consider for him though is this - he has this rare ability to have really good close control of the ball, and in a way hold onto it for a while, and get out of tight spots. I was wondering if he could be used up front as the head man, so that when he gets the ball - no doubt he would hog it to himself and then when the opposition defenders come into take it off him - he could make a killer pass to the other attackers in our team or do that spinning shit he does so well to get out of a tricky situation to make a great pass. Currently I think he is too far away from the front to actually make that impact with his skills.

 

[Gary25]

Continues to confuse me, but I do like the way he's fucking about a lot less on the ball. Obviously down to instruction from Klopp.

Deserves his place in the team at present.