Lallana out in Africa in bid to save World Cup
ADAM LALLANA has travelled to South Africa in a bid to save his dream of playing in the World Cup.
The Liverpool midfielder is desperate to recover from a serious hamstring injury in time for the Reds’ possible appearance in the Champions League final, and to grab a place in England’s squad for Russia.
The 29-year-old will undergo rehabilitation and warm weather training at the world-renowned Sports Science Institute in Cape Town.
Lallana picked up the injury against Crystal Palace on March 31, when
he lasted just five minutes as a second-half sub, before limping off.
He posted a picture of himself in training kit yesterday on the outdoor pitches in South Africa (right), with the caption: “All to play for”.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted it was a “really serious” injury, but did not entirely rule out a return this season. Lallana has made clear that he intends to fight for the chance to go to the World Cup. He is hoping, if the rehab goes well in Cape Town, he can come back to full training at the Reds’ Melwood complex in time to be part of the squad, should Liverpool make the Champions League final.
That is on May 26, while England play warm-up games against Nigeria (June 2) and Costa Rica (June 6), before opening their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18.