Liverpool forward Adam Lallana admits failing to justify £25m price tag

Liverpool attacker Adam Lallana admits he has failed to live up to his £25m price-tag after a debut season at Anfield which has been dominated by injury.

The 26-year-old missed the start of the season with a knee problem, while his current absence is down to a groin injury suffered while on international duty with England, which has seen him miss the Reds' last three games.

When fit, Lallana has failed to recapture his very best form which saw him nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award during his final season with Southampton. The marquee Liverpool summer signing admits he has not performed to his potential.

"It's not gone great," Lallana said of his first season. "It started off with injury and I've had another over the last few weeks with a few more in between. It's been quite frustrating if I'm being honest and I haven't been out on the pitch as much as I'd have liked. Getting injured and missing pre-season I feel played a big part in my recurring injuries. It's a very important part for a footballer to get the basis of the fitness in."

Despite being ruled out for the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, Lallana is determined to make an impression between now and the end of the season as Liverpool attempt to breach the five-point gap between themselves and the top four.

"I want to be fully fit for the run-in, we've still got an outside chance of making the top four, and that's something I want to be a part of. And obviously the last game of the season is the FA Cup final.

"I'm looking to come back in next season, get a good basis in with my fitness and kick on from there."

The great threat to Liverpool reaching a 15<sup>th final is Villa striker Christian Benteke, who with eight goals in his last six games is English football's best in-form striker.

Lallana says his side's success at Wembley will be dictated by how they deal with the Belgium international.

"They've picked up and had a great result at Tottenham last week. That shows they are definitely in good form," he added. "(Christian) Benteke is finding the net again so we have to keep our eye on him, but we'll be concentrating on ourselves and playing well. We have enough in our team to win.

"We said at the beginning of the season our aim was to get to the final of a competition and win some silverware. We are still in that position at the moment. Liverpool is known for winning lots of silverware and I think it's important that we continue that this year."