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It took a month and England's early ousting from the World Cup, but in the end Brendan Rodgers got his top midfield target and Liverpool Football Club have now completed their third signing of the summer. Adam Lallana today joins former Southampton teammate Rickie Lambert and Bayern academy graduate Emre Can as a new Liverpool player as Rodgers seeks to add quality to a squad that will need a few signings as they return to the Champions League.
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"It's a huge step," Lallana said. "Liverpool have got so much history and after the season they had last season, I can't wait to get started and carry on and build on that. Champions League football is back; everyone is telling me that the atmosphere on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Anfield are something special. Lambert is up here already and he has been telling me all about it. It's great that I can continue my career with him as well. That's a special moment."
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder will be expected to slot in as an attacking midfielder, inside forward, or on the outside of the 4-4-2 diamond and instantly improves Liverpool's best eleven. Some Liverpool fans may continue to underrate him, but he was rightly named to the Premier League's team of the season last year as England's best creative attacking midfielder ahead of stars like David Silva, Mesut Ozil, and Juan Mata.
"We are delighted to have secured the services of one of the Premier League's top talents," said Rodgers. "He is an exceptional young man and someone who has a love for the game—and, most importantly, a desire to progress and improve. Adam is motivated by being the best he can be and being part of something special. We believe he fits right in with what we are trying to do at Liverpool."
More activity in the market is expected soon, with Emre Can's official unveiling expected in the coming days. With Chile being eliminated from the World Cup, there's also the chance of movement towards a deal that sends Luis Suarez to Barcelona in exchange for cash and forward Alexis Sanchez, and a third Southampton player—defender Dejan Lovren—could also be on the cards.
