Liverpool’s new ‘Jorginho’ may tempt Sarri to make a bid, jokes Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has issued a tongue-in-cheek dig at Maurizio Sarri after reinventing Adam Lallana in a ‘Jorginho’ role for pre-season.   

The German manager has so far overseen two wins this summer against Tranmere Rovers and Bradford City respectively.

What is Lallana’s new role? Five things to know…

• Lallana struggled to hold down a first-team berth last season due to injury.
• However, the attacking playmaker has played a prominent role in pre-season for the Reds.
• In both matches he has been utilised in an unfamiliar deep-lying position at the base of midfield.
• Klopp has likened his new role to that of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho.
• He has now joked that he had best be careful with Lallana otherwise Juventus boss Sarri may lodge a bid.

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In both matches against the lower-tier English sides, Klopp has opted to deploy playmaker Lallana in an unfamiliar role at the base of a midfield trident, similar to that of Jorginho at Chelsea.

The Italian followed Sarri to west London from Napoli last summer having built up an unshakable relationship with the current Juve manager, and Klopp has now joked that he had best be careful with his new ‘Jorginho’ otherwise the Italian giants could pounce for his signature.

“Adam is the kind of player he can play that and he enjoys this ‘Jorginho’ role – I hope Maurizio Sarri doesn’t see the games or he will make an offer!” joked Klopp.

“It is about getting Adam rhythm, bringing him in early and doing things he is naturally good at: small spaces, passing the ball, and then from time-to-time offering the runs in behind as well and together with Milly [James Milner] that is possible.

“For us it is another option.”

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“He needs a bit of luck”

Lallana has seen his time on Merseyside plagued by injury complications having spent a significant chunk of time on the sidelines the previous two seasons, but Klopp believes the England international just needs a “bit of luck” to get his career back on track.

“He needs a bit of luck, like we all do in life,” said the Liverpool manager.

“We have to come through without injuries, that would be cool, and then we have a couple of new players, I would say, this season.”