Our futures are on the line

ADAM LALLANA increased the stakes ahead of the showdown with Manchester United by admitting Liverpool are playing for their futures as well as thirsting for revenge.

The England midfi elder did nothing to downplay the importance of the encounter.

Liverpool have lost their last four league matches to Louis van Gaal’s side and know the resumption of hostilities comes in a competition that offers a shortcut back to Europe’s elite next season.

Yet Lallana upped the ante even further by accepting Liverpool’s entire squad are in the process of trying to safeguard their futures by earning the trust of manager Jurgen Klopp. “We are all in the same boat,” he said. “The season has been inconsistent. That is a big word but we haven’t found consistency. We have had some disappointing results, some great results.

“People are going to talk about the manager maybe wanting to bring in his own players. But, as players, we just need to keep working and hopefully fi nd this consistency. His style is gradually coming into the team. “Maybe if that happens and we go on a good run he might not feel the need to dip into the transfer market as much as he would have wanted to a couple of months back. I’m sure he has plans and we will have to wait to see what happens in the summer.”

First, though, there is the small matter of redressing the balance against United.

“It’s mouth- watering,” said Lallana. “The way results have gone against them over the past couple of seasons, it is a chance to put things right and get some revenge.

“It makes the competition that much better and more of a prize to fi ght for. There isn’t a Champions League game better than this one this week.”

United defender Chris Smalling believes asserting an early superiority – individually and collectively – will be key to the contest.

“Often the fi rst 20 minutes can be quite frantic,” said the England centre- back. “But you want to get the upper hand on your opponent.

“When you cross that white line, the emotion can drive you on and hopefully bring out a better performance.”