Adam Lallana: LFC Must Excite Fans In Home Opener Vs. Bournemouth

Adam Lallana has expressed his admiration for Bournemouth’s fairy-tale rise into the Barclays Premier League but he’s determined to ensure the division’s new boys have nothing to shout about come full time on Monday night.

Lallana began his Career in the Cherries’ Academy before joining Southampton, where he’d go on to make the breakthrough into senior soccer, though he did briefly return to the then League One club for a loan spell in 2007.

Bournemouth was relegated that season and came perilously close to exiting the Football League altogether the following campaign. However, Bournemouth’s survival coupled with the arrival of Eddie Howe as manager proved the catalyst that took it from 21st in League Two to the top-flight in just six years.

On Monday night, the south-coast club will journey to Anfield for only the third time in its history — and the first in England’s top division — but Lallana warns they’ll arrive feeling as though they have little to lose.

“They’ve had a great few years — and that’s credit to Eddie Howe and everyone associated with the club,” he told Liverpoolfc.com in a chat at Melwood. “For them to be in the Premier League is an outstanding achievement. I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to the game –- Anfield is a special ground with a lot of history, so I’m sure their players, staff and fans will be excited for a good away day.

“Perhaps no-one on the outside will expect them to get a win. Even when I played for Southampton in games like this, the pressure was off and you could go out an express yourself, so we need to be wary of that and put our stamp on the game in the right way.

Lallana’s respect for Bournemouth’s achievements is clear, but there’ll be little room for sentiment come kick-off at Anfield on Monday evening.

A 1-0 win at Stoke City last Sunday ensured Liverpool began their campaign with three points – and the England man has stressed the importance of picking up the exact same haul in their first Anfield game of 2015-16.

“It’s important we start fast and get the crowd behind us because that’s such an important asset for us. When Anfield is loud and noisy, it’s a great atmosphere and can help us in our performances and in picking up wins.”