Wayne Veysey

Thu 9 February 2017 9:13, UK

By Alex Stevens

Adam Lallana is in line to be dropped for Liverpool’s Premier League showdown against Tottenham on Saturday, according to Micky Quinn.

The talkSPORT host and lifelong Liverpool fan claimed on Thursday morning that the Merseysiders have been making preparations for the Anfield clash without Lallana.

Quinn reported that manager Jurgen Klopp has been setting up his side in training this week in a formation that does not include the playmaker.

It would count as a major shock if Lallana was omitted for such a marquee match as he has been an integral member of the side that had challenged strongly for the Premier League title before being derailed by a disastrous January.

Indeed, reports have claimed that the 28-year-old is on the verge of agreeing a new contract despite being tracked by the likes of Tottenham, ironically the visitors for Saturday’s top-of-the-table showdown.

Quinn reports manager Klopp has been drilling his players hard in training this week in sessions specifically geared towards beating the north Londoners and getting back to winning ways.

Speaking ahead of the game, the former Newcastle striker – told Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “The more I think about the game the more important it is for Liverpool – they haven’t won in the Premier League this year.

“It’s a massive game for both teams and I think this is Jurgen Klopp’s biggest test since he’s been Liverpool manager.

“Klopp has read this Liverpool team the riot act. Since the defeat against Hull they have been on the training ground every day working to a pattern to beat Spurs.

“By all accounts that didn’t involve Adam Lallana, so whether he’s going to dropped, I’m not too sure.”

Klopp has persisted with the players who performed so strongly in the opening half of the season during what has been a wretched run of results in which Liverpool were dumped from two cup competitions and have been struck by potentially fatal blows to their league challenge.

“But I think Klopp is as much to blame as the players,” Quinn added to talkSPORT. “He’s stuck with certain players who are bang out of form – Firmino, Lucas and Can.

“Spurs haven’t won at Anfield in the league for a long time which is a big plus, but I think Klopp has to step up now and show us what he’s made of, because there are questions over him as well.”

Lallana has started 20 of Liverpool’s 24 league fixtures this season and a further three cup matches and has responded with his finest form since his 2014 move from Southampton.

In the league alone, the central attacking midfielder has scored seven goals supplemented by an impressive seven assists.

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