Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana insists he never doubted the signings of Lazar Markovic and Mario Balotelli, and has challenged his teammates to push for the Premier League’s top three after the pair got on the scoresheet in the crucial 3-2 win over Tottenham.
The new signings have taken some stick for performances this season, with Balotelli especially coming under fire.
Lallana came off the bench yesterday to tee up the Italian striker for his first Premier League goal in a red shirt, and a crucial winner.
And the 26-year-old believes there is more to come.
“People were questioning the new signings at the beginning of the season but not for one minute was I questioning them.
“It was always going to take a little bit of time as they’re young players. Now they’ve settled in we’re starting to see the rewards.
“You look at the likes of Lazar and Emre, a lot of the new players are settling in well and we’re seeing that out on the field.
“I’m pleased for Mario and that goal will be great for him. He needs to keep working hard, because when he works hard and comes on like that the fans warm to him and people react and he can score goals.
“If he does that and keeps putting the effort in then the goals will come.
“We’ve got a great squad and we’re gaining momentum. We were missing Raheem (Sterling) but Lazar came in and got his goal and it was a massive three points for us.
“We can go higher than fourth, we can hit third place. We’ve got Daniel Sturridge back now and it was great for him to get through 70 minutes (on his first start since August 31).”
