'Proper footballer' - Paul Merson heaps praise on 'outstanding' Brighton player

Paul Merson has heaped praise on Brighton talent Adam Lallana, arguing that the midfielder is a “proper footballer”.
Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The 32-year-old scored his first goal for the Seagulls since signing from Liverpool last summer against Leicester City on Saturday night, but also played an unfortunate role in Kelechi Iheanacho’s equaliser as the Foxes came from behind to win 2-1.

But despite his error, Merson still saw fit to hail Lallana on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday this week.

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The former Arsenal man said: “I’m a big Adam Lallana fan. I think he’s a proper footballer.

“It was the best he’s played for Brighton no doubt about it.

"They need composure. They need goals, they need a goalscorer. I thought he was outstanding.

"How many times have we sat on here and said Brighton have been really good but they haven’t won? This is getting really really worrying now, but for me, I just can’t see them going down.

"Anybody they play, they will give a game too.

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"When you’ve got a player of his [Lallana’s] talent, you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth.

"He’s there to make chances and sometimes it’s going to come off and sometimes it’s not. You’ve got to have them players.”

Brighton come up against Southampton on Sunday afternoon in a match that could have major ramifications for their Premier League survival hopes.

Albion are outside of the bottom three on goal difference alone at the moment, and could drop into the relegation places if they drop points and Fulham beat Manchester City later in the day.