Lallana relishing midfield role - but still wants more
Adam Lallana is embracing the challenges posed by a recent change of position and expects his performances to improve as he continues to get to grips with his new role over the course of the campaign.
With Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho forming the front three for the season-opening 4-3 win over Arsenal on Sunday, the Englishman was asked to drop into a central midfield trio alongside Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.
The No.20 rewarded manager Jürgen Klopp's faith in his versatility with an industrious performance that also brought a crucial goal as the Gunners were downed in memorable fashion.
Lallana says several testing pre-season run-outs provided a useful learning curve as he familiarised himself with his new duties, and he is happy to extend his stint in the middle if the boss is happy with his efforts.
"I've enjoyed it. I feel like I'm still learning the role and I'll probably still be learning the role throughout the season – you can always get better," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"But I've been watching different players that play in that position and it was great to play against Barcelona and some top teams in pre-season to get good run-outs against them.
"I'm enjoying it and [this is] a squad full of great players. If you look around, there are a lot of players that can play in two or three positions, which definitely helps.
"It's a different role but one I'll embrace and I'll play wherever the manager wants me to play as long as it benefits the team."
Watch highlights of the Reds' win over Arsenal with LFCTV GO
Many observers might have expected a deeper starting position to have a negative effect on Lallana's goal output this season, but the early signs have provided evidence to the contrary.
The England international was unfortunate not to double his personal tally against Arsenal as he went close again during a remarkable 20-minute assault on the hosts' goal in the second half.
And it was telling that both he and midfield partner Wijnaldum were in the box - along with four other teammates - as Lallana put the Reds ahead for the first time in the capital.
Reflecting on the team's forward-thinking approach, he added: "The manager says a sign of a good game is having a lot of men in the box and I think if you look at my goal there are six players in the box and he highlighted that.
"That's how he wants us to play. It's attacking football but, as long as we get our protection right behind that, then why not? You've got more chance of scoring goals."
See the stats from Lallana's performance against Arsenal with Opta
The enthusiastic celebrations at Emirates Stadium and the resilience shown in keeping a resurgent Arsenal out during a nervy conclusion appeared to show a squad united in pursuit of success this term.
But, while Lallana praised the togetherness of the Reds' class of 2016-17, he knows bigger tests are on the way - particularly as a run of four straight away games continues at Burnley on Saturday.
"It's very strong but it's early days yet and it's easy to show a good spirit when you're 4-1 up at the Emirates and you win there," he explained.
"We'll have bigger tests throughout the season where we're down 1-0, 2-0 and that's where we do really need to stick together and show how strong our team spirit is.
"Whether you're playing home or away it's different tests, different atmospheres to play in front of.
"Team spirit is a massive factor in being successful and I feel we've got that, need to build on that and never take it for granted."