LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 31: Adam Lallana of Liverpool walks off injured during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on March 31, 2018 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 31: Adam Lallana of Liverpool walks off injured during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on March 31, 2018 in London, England.
Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has travelled to South Africa in a bid to save his World Cup dream as he gets specialist treatment for his hamstring.
The 29-year-old has made just three starts and 10 substitute appearances in an injury-ravaged season which did not start until late November because of a knock to his thigh.
Why is Adam Lallana in South Africa?
According to British media reports on Tuesday, Lallana is receiving treatment at the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town, which was selected by Liverpool’s medical department to aid the England international’s return to fitness.
Lallana’s latest comeback was ended prematurely in March when he was on the pitch for just five minutes before a hamstring injury forced him off at Crystal Palace.
Liverpool have taken their time with Lallana in the second half of the season after Reds manager Jurgen Klopp admitted they had probably brought him back too soon from his initial setback.
The club will continue that cautious approach in the final month of the campaign and while the midfielder has not yet been ruled out of their remaining matches he will hope to be able to prove his fitness in time for World Cup consideration.
Adam Lallana at the World Cup
Lallana has previously travelled to a World Cup in 2014, as England crashed out of the group stages in Brazil. In the five years since his international debut, the Liverpool midfielder has impressed in the “number 10” role.
He won the England Player of the Year award for 2016, after breaking his goal duck with the national team. He scored a late winner in Slovakia during Sam Allardyce’s one and only game in charge, before netting against Scotland two months later.
He faces stiff competition to get back into the Liverpool side, as the Reds have been able to adjust to life without the playmaker. However, a fully fit Adam Lallana is arguably worth a place in anyone’s squad.
