Watch Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho getting Adam Lallana’s autograph

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana insists that he is ready to use his experience to help lead the Anfield club in the Premier League next season.

Lallana struggled with injuries in his first season at Anfield, including a knee problem picked up in one of his first training sessions with the club on last summer’s preseason tour.

“Last summer was odd anyway having been at the World Cup”, said Lallana to the Mail on Sunday. Then, before I knew it, I was in America on tour but got injured straightaway.

“When you look at the players who have left the club recently, I need to be one of the experienced ones”.

“I feel like one of the experienced ones”. In MY opinion I would have La Lana instead. “I can’t wait to get going and show everyone what I’m capable of”. While some performances offered promise, consistency was an issue – “very average, to be honest” was his frank, end-of-season assessment – and Lallana was substituted in 17 of the 30 games he started.

The former Southampton skipper is now looking to take on more responsibility within Brendan Rodgers’ side after the departure of Kop icon and influential captain Steven Gerrard this summer. It is about working hard in training and getting better. It makes the lads settle when you have got that.

“I must admit I am enjoying it (now); I think I have got a good relationship with the fans”. “The new signings have been brilliant so far”.

He continued: “It was good to play in a very good stadium in front of some great supporters and it was very nice for us to be out here”.

The 27-year-old has rated his first season at Anfield as “very average, to be honest”.

After the game, Hutchinson was referring to a Sky Sports projection of what could be Liverpool’s side if they sign Christian Benteke next season, and the ex Scotland global agreed with the line-up, except for one major change.

Benteke, 24, is due to have a medical tomorrow and complete his £32.5m move to Merseyside.

‘He is a big presence, ‘ says Lallana. “He has always scored goals”.