Lallana: My relationship with Firmino, Coutinho and Mane is 'telepathic'
Adam Lallana feels the universal language of football has helped him develop a 'telepathic' understanding with Liverpool's front three.
The form of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane has been a major factor behind the Reds’ excellent start to the season, with the trio having scored 16 Premier League goals between them to help put Jürgen Klopp’s side top of the table after 11 games.
Watford became the latest team to find it impossible to contain the Brazilian pair and their Senegalese partner at Anfield last Sunday, as Firmino, Coutinho and Mane (2) all got their names on the scoresheet as the Hornets were dispatched 6-1.
Lallana has also begun the season impressively, scoring three goals and weighing in with five assists in the Premier League.
Much of Liverpool’s exhilarating attacking play has been characterised by a relentless blur of movement and interchanging between Lallana and the front three, and the midfielder has explained why the fact they don’t speak the same language has not had a negative impact on their performances.
“It’s clichéd, but football has its own language,” the No.20, who is currently away on international duty with England, said.
“For example, Firmino doesn’t speak brilliant English - although better English than I speak Portuguese! - but I feel like I’ve got that relationship with him on the pitch where you don’t need to be speaking to each other.
“It’s almost telepathic. At times, when you see Firmino, Coutinho and Sadio Mane linking up, they are everywhere. That’s not because they speak the same language or they speak English.
“Phil is very shy, his English is great. He just doesn’t speak it too often.
“It’s almost telepathic - just knowing each other’s games inside out.”
Lallana also spoke about his relationship with Klopp, who he credits with having a positive impact on everyone in the Reds squad.
“Whatever he has done different to me, I think he has done to everyone,” he added.
“It isn’t just myself. As a team we are performing to a high level.
“I am enjoying working with him, I feel I have a really good relationship with him and that he trusts me. I trust him as well and when you have that connection, he can say stuff to you that you don’t want to hear and it doesn’t feel negative or personal.
“It’s always just business-related and wanting to win.”