Many Liverpool fans are surprised to see Adam Lallana named in the Reds’ starting line-up to face Aston Villa this afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have travelled to Villa Park as they bid to maintain their unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Jack Grealish has been left out of Aston Villa’s side, a particular blow for the Villans, while Lallana lines up for Liverpool ahead of the likes of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Lallana makes his first Premier League start of the season, having largely fallen down the pecking order at Anfield after numerous fitness issues have plagued him the last few seasons.
Taking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans were surprised and frustrated to see the England international start ahead of Fabinho, a player deemed by many to be irreplaceable for the club this season.
Twitter: @LFC lallana for ox? ahahaha (@LFCVik)
Twitter: @LFC LALLANA????????? (@FirminoSZN)
Twitter: @LFC WHY IS LALLANA THERE AND NOT OX (@TheFirminoRoIe)
Twitter: @LFC How many goals does the Ox need to score to get in the first 11
(@RockyKlopp)
Twitter: @LFC Lallana and Lovren. Am I back in 2014? (@CazzaW89)
Twitter: @LFC In what way did lallana’s performance on Wednesday warrant a start today? I hope he plays to his best today bu… https://t.co/FXtWZX5j4Y (@WayneOConnor2)
Twitter: @LFC Lallana? https://t.co/8vcQF0K4qy (@TheLiverbird123)
Twitter: @LFC https://t.co/bjGe1pqPyQ (@stu_89)
Read Liverpool Verdict
Lallana is a quality player on his day, and if he hadn’t become so injury prone at Liverpool it would be interesting to see how his time at the club could have been different.
The 31-year old did impress for the Reds last month, scoring a late equaliser against Manchester United, and with Fabinho only needing one more yellow card before he is handed a suspension, it make sense for Klopp to rotate so the Brazilian doesn’t miss the upcoming Manchester City clash.
Liverpool are blessed with options though, and the fact that many fans are frustrated that Oxlade-Chamberlain or Keita didn’t play over Lallana is a credit to the quality of the squad that Klopp has been able to assemble.
