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Ryan Giggs: This Liverpool player makes everyone else play better
By Alex Stevens
Ryan Giggs has hailed Adam Lallana for making all his Liverpool teammates play better when he is on the pitch.
The England international had a huge impact as a substitute in the Merseysiders’ 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Monday night.
Liverpool were impotent for the first hour of the match before they were transformed when Lallana, who suffered a groin injury before the international break, replaced Daniel Sturridge at the hour mark.
The substitution immediately revitalised Liverpool, bringing greater energy to the team as well as Lallana’s trademark class and composure in possession.
His introduction also allowed Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino to be pushed further forward and the Brazilian duo began to combine in a way they had not beforehand.
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United legend Giggs was impressed by Lallana’s cameo display and explained how he has become such a key figure for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“He makes everyone else play better,” Giggs told Sky Sport’s Monday Night Football programme in the immediate aftermath of the match. “He brings greater energy to the team and it allows Coutinho and Firmino to play closer to one another and be closer to the goal.
“You suddenly get the triangles of passing going and Liverpool look a much more dangerous side. He’s such an important player for them.”
Liverpool fans were impressed with Lallana’s zippy performance and claimed it was in stark contrast to the poverty of Sturridge’s play.
The draw means that Jurgen Klopp’s side remain fourth in the table although they are only two points behind leaders City.
By contrast, United are in seventh and five points behind Pep Guardiola’s pacesetters.
In other Liverpool team news, former Everton midfielder Leon Osman gave a no-holds-barred verdict on Wayne Rooney slipping down the United pecking order on Monday.