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Lallana impressed for Southampton last year and earned a big-money move to Liverpool as a result. PA Wire/Press Association Images

Liverpool's €31million man Adam Lallana set to miss start of season

The player sustained the knock to his lateral collateral ligament during a session at the Reds’ Harvard University training base.

LIVERPOOL SUFFERED A major blow on Friday when England midfielder Adam Lallana was ruled out for up to six weeks after suffering a knee injury.

Lallana, who moved to Anfield from Southampton for €31million earlier this month, sustained the knock to his lateral collateral ligament during a session at the Reds’ Harvard University training base in Boston.

The 26-year-old, a member of England’s World Cup squad in Brazil, has been assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff and does not require surgery, but he looks unlikely to recover in time for the start of the Premier League season on 16 August.

“No specific timeframe has been placed on a return to fitness, but injuries of this nature can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines,” a statement on Liverpool’s website confirmed.

Lallana will undergo further assessment by Liverpool’s medical team in the United States and on his return to England.

His absence from the start of Liverpool’s season is a significant setback for Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, who had hoped to use the playmaker as a key figure in his revamp of the team following the sale of star striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

Lallana was taking part in only his fourth training session with Liverpool after he and the majority of the club’s other England World Cup players joined up with the Reds squad on their US tour on Monday.

The midfielder, whose outstanding form last season made him a target for several top clubs before Rodgers won the race for his signature, will be denied an opening day reunion with his former club Southampton.

Liverpool, who finished as Premier League runners-up last term, also face crucial matches against Manchester City and Tottenham in the early weeks of the season.

Lallana’s focus will be on reaching peak fitness in time for the start of Liverpool’s Champions League challenge in September.

© AFP 2014.

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    Mute Emmet O'Donnell
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    Jul 26th 2014, 10:32 AM

    Seriously 31 million WTF

    36
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    Mute Derek Mahon
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:25 AM

    I know, I said the same thing about Shaw…

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    Mute luke daly
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:29 AM

    Except Shaw was 30 pounds

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    Mute Stephen
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    Jul 26th 2014, 1:28 PM

    Using euros to make it look worse.
    This place really should change their name to The Irish Daily Score

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Jul 26th 2014, 1:54 PM

    @Stephen We’re an Irish site, so it’s naturally part of our style guide to refer to transfer deals by their amount in Irish currency to make it as accessible as possible for Irish readers.

    It’s nothing to do with trying to make Liverpool or anyone else look bad.

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    Mute Moneybags
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    Jul 26th 2014, 10:32 AM

    I would be really worried if I was a Liverpool fan , Rodgers has spent nearly 80m and who have they signed

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    Mute luke daly
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:28 AM

    That’s really insightful man, if only they had you as a scout they be sorted

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    Mute Moneybags
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:56 AM

    Go away you silly little troll …

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    Mute The Animal
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    Jul 26th 2014, 9:57 AM

    Another Aquilani… They may go out and spend another 30 million…

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    Mute luke daly
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:30 AM

    There is absolutely no comparison but you keep pressing those buttons.

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    Mute Richie Sheridan
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:44 AM

    How much did Kroos go to Madrid for? 24 million, god I wonder where he was discovered

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    Mute luke daly
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    Jul 26th 2014, 11:52 AM

    It’s pointless comparing the two fees because Kross has much higher wages and Was in the last year of his contract

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    Mute Stephen
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    Jul 26th 2014, 12:41 PM

    Luke Shaw says hello,

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    Mute Richie Sheridan
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    Jul 26th 2014, 12:30 PM

    Liverpool have spent over £100m so far this summerits more quantity then quality that has been signed. They had a light squad last year but not world class improvements, standard .so far.

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    Mute John Geary
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    Jul 26th 2014, 1:52 PM

    They’ve signed a lot of quality youngsters, that’s their policy. They won’t buy a 27/28 yr old at the top of the market – too much risk. So won’t be big names coming in. They’ve bought a lot of players, maybe too many & some won’t make it. But some will – looking forward to seeing how Markovic, Lovren & Lalana bed into that team. They were great to watch last season, looking forward to seeing how they do without Suarez…

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    Mute Richie Sheridan
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    Jul 26th 2014, 1:58 PM

    Wouldn’t call Lallana a youngster at 26, he has only played 2 seasons of Premier League football., so the fee was more bewildering.

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    Mute Wiseman
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    Jul 26th 2014, 3:20 PM

    Shaw is a young Paul konchesky

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    Mute Richie Sheridan
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    Jul 26th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Compare that to Shaw who is 19, and has the potential to be a world class left back – his fee was over priced too, but makes more sense then the Lallana fee.

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    Mute Colin McNamara
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    Jul 26th 2014, 2:30 PM

    Lallana was over priced but £30 million for a teenager is madness.

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