S
As per usual, I can't stay quiet.
Lallana is being criticised because he's played poorly. Putting a shift in and passing 5 yards doesn't mean he played well. He did the basics - I'm sorry but doing the basics isn't what's going to get us back to where we need to be.
This is LFC - time to stop lowering standards, and be ambitious. This was a team that was blessed with Suarez, Torres, Mascherano, Alonso, Hyypia, Carra, Reina, Agger etc etc in recent history. And a lot of fans are trying to justify the likes of Lallana, Lovren, Hendo (he;s not that bad) and thinking these are players who are 4 quality.
The worst thing that people say is that a player is hard working or professional. That should be the 3rd or 4th thing I would mention for a top class player.
So - no, Lallana isn't a scapegoat. He's just not good enough. And once he's gone, the next worst player will become the 'scapegoat' and hopefully we'll get to the point where the sh*t players are forced out and we're left with a good squad.
Lallana is Leon Osman lite with a whispy beard
Lallana is Downing minus pace.