It was a mixed international weekend for Liverpool fans.
There was a collective gasp when news came through of Sadio Mane's injury during Senegal's match with Namibia. When a big new signing starts well for his club, no-one wants to hear about calamities on international duty so early in the season.
There was better news from England's 1-0 win against Slovakia. There was relief that Martin Skrtel won't ever display his unique defensive skills at Anfield again and there was finally an England goal for Adam Lallana on his 27th appearance for his country. His quick feet and ability to turn instantly came to the fore as England desperately sought a winner against 10-man Slovakia.
It's been a good start to the season overall for the former Southampton captain. He showed similar composure at Arsenal in Liverpool's 4-3 win on the opening weekend of the season, scoring their second goal. Good work in the box also helped create a goal for Mane, this time in the 1-1 draw at Tottenham last time out, but it was chalked off by the flimsiest offside decision.
Late goals against Norwich in January and Villarreal in the Europa League semifinal indicate Lallana has an instinct for getting in areas where it counts, when it counts.
It is true that he does not score often enough for his club or his country. This wasn't the case at Southampton, where he reached double figures during several seasons.
The pressure mounts when you play for England or join a bigger club, but perhaps the problem is positional. He was often in a more attacking role at Southampton. In their 1-0 win at Anfield in 2013, the season before Lallana joined Liverpool, he was regularly in the opposition box, pressurising a tormented Simon Mignolet and exposing the weakest side of the Belgian's game -- with the ball at his feet.
Although signed by Brendan Rodgers, for £24 million in 2014, it's not hard to see why successor Jurgen Klopp makes Lallana one of his key players. It isn't just the exhaustive pressing game; he keeps going until the final whistle, indicated by the last-gasp goals he is scoring more frequently.
One of his first goals for the Reds was in a 4-1 home win against Swansea on Dec. 29, 2014 when he chased down Lukasz Fabianski, whose clearance ricocheted off Lallana into an empty net. Few teams at this level concede such goals but Lallana's work rate can catch anyone off-guard.
The player's versatility is one of the talents Klopp admires. After a transfer window that disappointed many, the Liverpool boss called for belief after much criticism of the club's efforts to sign more players.
After this call for faith, supporters did what they often do: rationalise, and slowly come round to the club's way of thinking. There was admittedly much deadwood discarded, though using that description for the likes of Joe Allen is somewhat tenuous.
Most focus was on the left-back position after Klopp announced he knew James Milner could play there all along. Perhaps it is the versatility of some of his favoured players that gives Klopp much of his optimism?
Robert Firmino has often been the most forward player during his time at Liverpool. Emre Can played as a third central defender and even at right-back for Rodgers. Many thought Lucas Leiva would leave this summer but his adaptability may become key should Liverpool's injury problems persist.