Adam Lallana

[Chris]

**** sake, both Chelsea games then aswell. *sigh*. Would like to see Lazar take his place up there.

[poorscousertommy]

Yeah a month apparently

[BigChief]

More reason we need Shakira. Apart from Coutinho not enough experienced hip shakers up front.

[Reece]

Perhaps it might mean we're more likely to bring Ibe back now?

[BigChief]

I'd be happy with Ibe too. He's not the finished product but he'll do a job in the style we play.

[RedReet]

I'd leave Ibe where he is. Give Markovic some time in his preferred position, with potential cover from Suso (when fit), Ojo, Kent, Wilson or even Sinclair. Obviously Sterling will drop back too when/if Sturridge is fit or if he decides to give another striker a chance or signs one.

Basically I don't think Ibe will get enough game time, but would have liked to have seen him tried in Raheem's current position if he was still here.

[Reece]

I just thought (based on recent reports) that if we were already considering it then it may help make our minds up.

Not sure what I'd do to be honest. Ibe is obviously ahead of the other youngsters you mention but yes definitely Markovic should hopefully get more opportunities in an advanced role. We've got a lot of games to play though so we may see Ibe as a decent option to have.

[Muddled]

As far back as page five, this. I love watching this guy with a football. His balance, poise and ability on either foot is a delight. He's such a clever footballer and whilst it's a shame he doesn't have much pace, he's been a great addition. Once he's got over his injuries and can get some game time under him, he's going to be very important for us.

Shunted to RWB yesterday, he didn't shirk his defensive responsibilities and was part of our ability to retain possession towards the end of the game. It was often pointed out that he struggled to finish games at Southampton and questioned fitness, but he put in a shift yesterday and was alive for the second goal with what must have been a difficult finish.

[RichC]

Yup, good player Lallana and has an eye for a goal as well which is always handy. Hopefully he can keep the injuries at bay now.

[DannyMan2006]

He's an important player & he will have to perform if we are to compete on 3 fronts for the rest of the season. He was really starting to settle at one point and it's important he gets back to that.

[danperkins]

He's a quality player that unfortunately has had a stop and start season, disturbed by injuries. If he has a sustained period of fitness... i've no doubts he'll be a massive hit here.

[Yozza]

Liverpool's Adam Lallana says he 'left sour taste' at Southampton

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana says he expects a mixed reaction on Sunday when he returns to Southampton for the first time since leaving St Mary's.

The former Saints captain, 26, has denied reports he issued Southampton an ultimatum, but is realistic about how fans will respond to him.

"I'm not stupid enough to think the way I left didn't leave a sour taste in a few people's mouths," said Lallana.

The England international continued to BBC Radio Solent: "I regret the way I left. I regret bits and pieces of how it happened and it got nasty. It was sad the way it happened.

"What is true is that when I knew of Liverpool's interest and that they had put a bid in, I did say to the club it would be my wish if they could negotiate a fee for me to move on.

"Not for one second did I say I wouldn't play for the club again. I'm man enough to say it was my choice and my decision for me to move on."

"Deep down I hope Saints fans appreciate the times we had at the club together," he said.

"Football is a fickle game - if I do get the jeers and the boos I'm just going to take it as them missing me playing down there because I miss Southampton.

"I miss the fans and I miss the good times we had down there. Of course I do."

On facing Southampton for the first time

"It's still not sunk in that I'm going to be playing against Southampton. I think it was a blessing in disguise that I was injured for the first game.

"Even being in the crowd watching that day I just felt really emotional so to have been out there would have been way too soon.

"The rawness of it all has got easier over the past six months. I am looking forward to the game. We've got Besiktas on Thursday which helps as it means I'm concentrating on that and it will only give me a couple of days to think about the Southampton game."

Will he celebrate if he scores?

"Of course not. I've got huge respect for the club, part of me doesn't even know how I'm going to play. It's all a bit surreal. I just have to be professional and play well for Liverpool. I've got too much respect to celebrate."

How is he settling in to life at Anfield?

"It was always going to take time for me to settle in and I still wouldn't say I'm 100% set in my ways up here.

"It's a big transition moving my family up, especially being so settled in Southampton and used to the fans and the stadium, the training facilities, having my friends and family around, so it was always going to be a big challenge for me.

"In the last couple of months we've turned a corner as a club and are playing some really great football."

The importance of the fixture with Liverpool four points behind fourth-placed Saints

"We want to go there and win the game and if we can win we'll be right on their tails.

"They're having such a magnificent season and credit to everyone at the club. The recruitment in the summer they've done really well and brought a great manager in.

"For us it's all about catching them now so we need to go down there and win."

[baitman]

lots of blubbing how he misses southampton.

if we have still got the receipt can we get our money back

[danperkins]

Was excellent today. When this guy is fully fit he is quality.

[Shaggy]

Will be so much better next season (assuming he stays fit throughout the summer). Him and Coutinho in the same team gives the opposition so many headaches. You can't tame them both.