Saturday, 23 January 2016

Lallana: Liverpool FC match winner says 'it's a moment I'll never forget'

Liverpool hero Adam Lallana ended his 8-month Premier League goal drought with a dramatic last-gasp winner against Norwich City as he admitted: “It's a moment I'll never forget.”

The England international volleyed home in the 95 minute as the Reds secured a remarkable 5-4 victory at Carrow Road.

Lallana, whose last league goal came against Crystal Palace back in May 2015, reacted by whipping off his shirt and racing into the welcoming arms of Jurgen Klopp before being mobbed by his team-mates.

Klopp's glasses were broken amid the celebrations but Lallana joked that the manager only had himself to blame.

“It was just one of those great moments,”

“I didn't connect with the ball brilliantly but as soon as it bounced I knew it was in and I was off.

“My momentum just took me in the direction of the manager. I looked up and he was halfway on the pitch!

“I heard his glasses got broken but that probably serves him right for being on the pitch!

Not scoring has been playing on my mind a little bit. That's the kind of character I am as I always want to help the team.

“It was worth the wait with those celebrations and being able to get us the three points. It's one of those moments I'll never forget.

Lallana had been a major doubt for the trip to Norfolk after suffering a knock in last weekend's defeat to Manchester United.

But the £25million midfielder, who came off the bench in the second half when the Reds were trailing 3-2, says he was indebted to the expertise of the club's medical staff for being able to play some part in the game.

“I could easily have been back at Melwood today getting treatment and saving myself for the game against Stoke on Tuesday,” Lallana said.

“I only trained with the squad on Friday and before that I'd spent the week getting treatment.

“Credit to the medical team who are first class. They pushed me to travel, turned me around and got me available.

“Thankfully, I was able to come off the bench and I was involved in a couple of the goals.

“The medical team could have just said rest it now and be ready for Tuesday, but it shows that it's definitely worth taking risks at times. Today it paid off.”

Having led courtesy of Roberto Firmino's opener, the Reds found themselves 3-1 down early in the second half before staging a fightback.

Jordan Henderson reduced the deficit before goals from Firmino and James Milner made it 4-3.

When Sebastien Bassong hammered home in stoppage time, Norwich looked set to earn a point but Lallana took centre stage.

“It was a sucker punch when Bassong scored that brilliant goal to make it 4-4,” he said.

“I asked the ref how long was left and he said we had played four minutes of stoppage time so there was one minute left.

“We went straight down the other end and it dropped nicely for me.

“It was a great finale. It was an epic game and they're great to be involved in, especially when you come out of it with three points.

We've got a real never-say-die spirit in our squad. That's something the manager has instilled in us.”

At the final whistle the players headed over to the away end to show their appreciation for the support.

Many of the 2,600-strong travelling Kop had set off by coach at 4.30am in order to be there for the lunchtime kick-off.

“It was great to celebrate with the fans at the end,” Lallana added.

“They were brilliant for us again. The manager said a few weeks after he arrived about ensuring that fans didn't leave games early.

“They'll be glad they stayed to the end today because that was a cracker.

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