8. He Thrives On Man Management
Chris Ison/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesThough a solid and dependable player for the two seasons that Southampton have been back in the Premier League, Lallana has to put some of his success down to the influence of his former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who was forced to talk Lallana out of quitting as club captain when Southampton returned to the top division.
I spoke to Mauricio about it and he said to me just be patient, theres time, youre a young man and these things do take time. He was right. Its why he will be one of the best managers in the world one day, because hes not just tactically brilliant, his man management skills and knowledge of the game is exceptional. Thats why its a privilege to have done so well this season under him.
Those words should be music to Liverpool fans' ears, given the man management style of Brendan Rodgers, who, in many ways takes a very similar approach to management as Pochettino, mixing tactical nous with a smart eye for man management.