Liverpool pundit poses key Lallana question for exit-linked midfielder

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has questioned whether midfielder Adam Lallana will want to leave Anfield in the summer.

Having been a key figure in the early years of Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Liverpool, signings such as Naby Keita and Fabinho have pushed Lallana down the pecking order.

The Englishman’s contract expires at the end of the season – although the Reds can extend it for a further year – and Lallana has been heavily linked with a move away from Merseyside.

Indeed, Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester are a few of the clubs reportedly keeping an eye on the midfielder’s situation ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Speaking to ESPN FC, however, Nicol insisted that Lallana is enjoying his time at Liverpool, albeit without being a regular first-team figure.

Nicol said: “I’m not so sure. As a player you want to play but I think he seems to me he’s in a stage where ‘I like being at Liverpool, I enjoy being at Liverpool, it’s a great place to be, I’m playing some games, I’m having fun.

“‘Do I want to leave Liverpool and go somewhere just to play, where it could be hard work and not enjoyable?’.

“So I don’t think this guy’s going to leave and it’s good for Liverpool that he doesn’t leave because he’s a great squad player.

 

 

“I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”

Following the speculation linking Lallana with Arsenal, the Gunners have been told to steer clear of a move to bring the 31-year-old to the Emirates.

Nigel Winterburn said: “Lallana is a player I like but he has had so many injuries problems.

“When you’re looking to bring players in for the first team or even the squad, you have to be careful.”

Lallana has made 175 appearances for Liverpool since his move from Southampton in 2014, scoring 22 goals and assisting the same number.

Read more: €60m man on Liverpool radar, as Klopp plots double swoop in summer