Lallana could miss start of season

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana could miss the start of the new season after injuring his knee in training.The 26-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Southampton earlier this month, sustained a knock to his lateral collateral ligament during a session at the Reds' Harvard University training base in Boston.Although no time-frame has been placed on a return to fitness, such injuries can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.A quirk of the Barclays Premier League fixture list means Liverpool's first match is at home to Southampton on August 17, with Lallana now facing a fitness race to make the Anfield clash.He has been assessed by Liverpool's medical staff and does not require surgery.However, the news is clearly a setback for the England international, who will undergo further assessment by the club's medical team in the United States and on his return to Liverpool.Lallana, a boyhood Everton fan, completed his £25million move to Anfield earlier this month, ending manager Brendan Rodgers' pursuit of a player he identified as a primary target for this summer.

Source: PA