2. Heart Problems
Chris Ison/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesAt the age of 18, Lallana went under the knife to correct an irregular heartbeat that could have threatened his career before he had even made his first major strides into becoming the £25m player he is today. His condition was turned up by a training monitor, and the player knows how valuable that was to him:
When you recall what has happened to Bolton player Fabrice Muamba, I realise how lucky I am. It was a dark period of my life, scary. I had an operation that decided which way my career went. There was an element of risk. Thankfully I am here today, fit and healthy. When anyone talks about your heart, the panic button starts ringing a bit. I had some hard times but I had good people around me who all helped out.
That adversity adds an element of Boys Own about his rise to fame and glory, and should also ensure that his feet don't leave the ground at Liverpool, not that there has been any hint that that might be the case over his career to date.