Liverpool Handed Blow in Attempts to Sign Adam Lallana

Southampton and England winger Adam Lallana is not allowing rumours of a move to Liverpool affect preparation ahead of the World Cup finals in Brazil.

The 26 year old, who was nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award after a stellar campaign for Saints, has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer.

Lallana scored 11 goals and made six assists in all competitions for Southampton last season and is reportedly Liverpool's No.1 target ahead of a transfer window during which maager Brendan Rodgers is expected to be backed by owner Fenway Sports Group.

But the former AFC Bournemouth loanee said: "Whether my future gets sorted before or after the World Cup makes no difference to me. I am just fully focused on doing well for England and performing as well as I can."

The uncertain future of manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is understood to be in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over becoming the successor to Tim Sherwood, has thrown into doubt the career of both Lallana and 18 year old full back Luke Shaw.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has been rewarded with help the club into the Champions League for the first time since 2009 with a bumper new contract which reportedly runs until 2018.

The Northern Irish boss has already admitted that playing in Europe's premier club competition next season will assist Liverpool in signing higher calibre players this summer and Lallana is among those individuals who would be attracted by the proposition of featuring against the continent's best.

"I'm ambitious," he added. "I have aspirations to play in the Champions League.

"Ever since I've played international football, you realise there's that other level to play at. It would be great.

"I went to a couple of the Champions League games last year and the feeling you get, the buzz, it's an unbelievable atmosphere. It's definitely a goal of mine to play in the Champions League."