Boss: Lallana strike the perfect example for all players
Adam Lallana's goal at Arsenal was the perfect kind for Jürgen Klopp and stands as an example of what Liverpool must do regularly this season.
The midfielder, operating from a slightly deeper role in the centre, put the Reds in front at Emirates Stadium four minutes into the second half.
Lallana was one of several players waiting to receive Georginio Wijnaldum’s cross from the left side as Klopp’s charges sensed an opportunity to hurt the Gunners.
His control opened up an angle to shoot and the No.20’s finish beyond Petr Cech was clinical, helping to inspire the two further goals that followed.
Four days on, as the manager previewed the Premier League clash with Burnley this Saturday, he was asked whether Lallana has been tasked with scoring more often.
Klopp explained that he had no special concern about the Englishman’s tally but merely wants him and all of his teammates to be in the right places to strike.
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The boss said at Melwood: “I remember last season we had a talk, I don’t know exactly when it was. He actually came to me and spoke to me.
“I didn’t really recognise it as an issue. Of course, everybody could score more goals, but I was really happy with his performances and we scored goals.
“It’s not something you can force, you can’t say ‘come on, score goals’.
“But what you can do and that’s why I especially liked the Adam Lallana goal at Arsenal, is Adam involved and six players in the box. That’s the sign for a good team performance and a confident team performance. That’s really important, that we have these different options in the box.
“Gini could make the cross and there were three options to take the ball – Adam was the quickest and finished the situation. That’s a perfect goal, in my opinion.
“It’s not about goalscoring, it’s about being in the right positions to be a threat. They can all score goals and they have all scored goals in their life.
“It’s about being confident enough to be close enough to the right situation so that you can really have the opportunity to score.
“He is playing in a new position. It’s not too new. We changed the style a little bit and he is still a really offensive player. So he needs to be in and around the box in situations like that, and he was – all good.”