Liverpool have seen their legend Steven Gerrard to leave Anfield this summer after his long term spell as the captain of the Reds.
Liverpool are currently striving for leaders in the dressing room and their 27 year old Adam Lallana has stepped up to support the newly assigned Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
Lallana previously skippered Southampton team and guided them to establish a strong place in English Premier League and he is one of the relatively senior players in the squad.
Liverpool are currently in Australia to participate in pre season preparations.
Liverpool have already played two pre season friendly matches against Thai All Stars and Brisbane Roar and won both of them with scorelines 4-0 and 2-1 and the English international scored in both the games.
Adam Lallana moved to Anfield from St Mary’s stadium only last season for a whopping £25 million and struggled to live up to the price tag.
Knee ligament damage suffered during the pre-season tour of America made him miss the start of the campaign and on his return he was hampered by a succession of niggling injuries.
There were flashes of his undoubted ability but he struggled for consistency.
He’s also honest enough to admit that it took time to get to grips with the pressures of life at Anfield.
The flamboyant midfielder has vowed to Liverpool fans to show his true colors this season.
Here is what he had to say at the press conference-
Yes, definitely, because it was a completely different thing to what I was used to.
A combination of different factors make it difficult for any player moving to a new club.
I have just got to embrace it and I must admit I am enjoying it, with the fan base that we have got and I do think I have got a good relationship with the fans. They backed me in my first season and I am going to embrace it again.
Last summer was strange with the World Cup, the transfer and then going to America and getting injured straight away.
I had a bit of a frustrating season. I feel like I’ve got that couple of extra levels to hit and I’m sure that is going to happen.
I feel very settled at the club now. I’m not the new guy anymore, I feel like one of the experienced ones, especially when you look at the players who have left.
I’m not young anymore, I’m 27 and I feel at my peak. I can’t wait to get going and show everyone what I’m capable of.
Yeah, I feel that responsibility. I feel that is part of my game as I’ve developed over the years. I feel like a big character in the dressing room and it is great when you have six or seven of them.
We all share the roles. It makes the lads settle when you have got that good dressing room.
Some players struggle to settle having swapped the south of England for the north but Lallana has put down roots in Formby.
Wife Emily gave birth to their second son Albie seven weeks ago. They also have two-year-old Arthur.
It is more hands on having two kids but I can’t take any of the credit as my wife is slogging away back home and I’m out here,”he said, with the Reds having flown on to Adelaide on the third leg of their tour.
Being settled off the field certainly leads to better performances. That is why it is so difficult for players that come from abroad that don’t speak the language.
For (Roberto) Firmino it will be nice that he has a couple of Brazilians in the team and it is another great signing for us and I look forward to linking up with him.
I really feel a good bond at Liverpool and something special with this group of lads.
It’s the start of a new era for the Reds as they enter a season without Steven Gerrard for the first time in nearly two decades,
It is odd not having Stevie around. Everyone will tell you that it is weird. But we need to move on.
He is moving on, we are following how he is getting on and he has made his competitive debut.
All the lads still speak to him and I am sure we will see him back at Melwood in due course.”
Gerrard may have gone but with the likes of Firmino and James Milner coming in, Lallana knows that there will be a battle to secure a starting spot.
I think that helps you. When you are in the elite competitions, you need big squads, he added.
You are not going to play every game. It is about working hard in training and getting better and better. It’s about making sure the manager picks you.
Lallana believes working with Gary McAllister, the Reds’ new first-team coach, can help him to flourish. He further said, He will be a massive influence. I remember watching him for Leeds and Liverpool.
With Stevie leaving, it’s nice having someone who was here a few years ago and just being able to relate to them about football matters that another member of the coaching staff might not be able to.
It’s all about getting the balance right, bouncing ideas off each other so you can help the team.
I think the balance of the backroom staff is brilliant and it has got the makings of a good year.
Being asked about the new signings Lallana answered: There’s a good buzz around the place. The new signings have been brilliant so far. Liverpool have done some shrewd business. There’s a good balance.
Nathaniel I know well [from their days together with Southampton and England] – he is a solid signing and he is just going to get better under Brendan’s guidance.
James Milner is a great professional and a great player as well. He has won the league and he will bring something different. Divock brings something different too, as does Danny Ings.
Lallana was also asked about the news of Liverpool triggering Christian Benteke’s release clause.
That would be a big statement,” said Lallana. “He is a big presence. He has always scored goals. He would be a very strong component for us if he was to arrive.