I ’ m starting to think Adam Lallana might actually become a better version of Steven Gerrard . He ’ s certainly got all the qualities that make him the perfect replacement for the Liverpool captain . I appreciate that Jordan Henderson is set to take over as skipper , but in terms of dynamism , energy and quality , Lallana looks like the perfect replacement for Gerrard the player . Have a look at Sunday ’ s victory over Manchester City : Lallana started the game as one of two No 10s behind Raheem Sterling ( Brendan Rodgers ’ innovative approach as a coach should not be underestimated ) . When Lazar Markovic went off , Lallana went over to the right wing , and then when Alberto Moreno was substituted , Lallana ended the game on the left wing . Adam Lallana ( centre ) gave an all-action display as Liverpool impressively beat Manchester City . Lallana chats with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard during training on Monday . He is truly two-footed – for that reason alone English football should treasure him . But he is also clearly capable of playing in different positions , and he can adapt midway through a game . Those qualities are not readily available in most players and it takes me back to the Champions League final of 2005 when Gerrard ended up at right back . The very best not only play different positions , they excel in those positions as well . Lallana still has to prove he can do it , as Gerrard did , in a major final , but he proved it in a massive game on Sunday . A simple five-minute chat about Lallana with Rodgers will have him purring . The Liverpool manager will be using words and phrases like 'balance ' , 'clever ' , 'worker ' , 'technical ability ' , 'awareness ' , 'great character ' , 'looks after the ball ' . Bring up the subject of Lallana and you could be there all day with Rodgers . On Sunday all the talk was of Philippe Coutinho , and understandably so . The brilliance of his goals alone in recent weeks makes him the hot topic and it ’ s great to see him add consistency to the undoubted quality . But Lallana ’ s contribution should not go unnoticed . Philippe Coutinho ( 2nd right ) curled home Liverpool 's winner late on in the Premier League clash at Anfield . Vice-captain Jordan Henderson ( right , front ) also scored a screamer for the Reds on Sunday . One thing you might not know about Lallana is that in Rodgers ’ words , he is 'no shrinking violet ' . He has bags of personality and character off the pitch as well as on it , and good leadership qualities – let ’ s not forget he was captain of Southampton as they returned to re-establish themselves in the Premier League . For Liverpool ’ s system he is perfect . He has quality on the ball – did you see his Cruyff turn in the centre circle against City ? Breathtaking stuff – he creates – he scores ( probably could score more ) – and he presses the ball . He was injured pre-season , so it was a slow start to his Liverpool career and some supporters were too quick to judge . Rodgers knew that opponents ’ approach to Liverpool would be different this season , he knew he would need players to be clever on the ball , and Lallana has that football intelligence . Lallana - who played three positions against City - shows his defensive qualities challenging Sergio Aguero . He doesn ’ t get talked about too much , does he ? Is that because he ’ s English ? Probably . But Rodgers told me this about Lallana : 'He ’ s technically as good as any European player ' . Some might disagree , but it rams home the point that we don ’ t value his qualities highly enough in this country . In the feverish pace of the Premier League , Lallana still makes time for himself on the ball , and has that football intelligence and ability to make an impact on a game . Yet somehow , if he is only on the bench for England later this month it won ’ t be a surprise . And that ’ s a shame in my opinion . Gerrard ’ s departure will still hurt Liverpool fans , but I expect Lallana to grow even more when the legend leaves . He ’ s one of the most underrated footballers in the Premier League . Lallana slides in to have an effort on the Manchester City goal that went narrowly wide of the target .
Liverpool beat champions Sergio Aguero on Sunday . England midfielder Adam Lallana excelled in three different positions . Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is leaving the club at end of the season . Lallana looks the perfect replacement for Gerrard . READ : Jordan Henderson confident Liverpool can finish above Man City . CLICK HERE for all the latest Liverpool news .