Adam Lallana's hopes of joining Liverpool before the World Cup may rest on informing Southampton he is determined to leave St Mary's, with the two clubs yet to agree a deal for the England midfielder.

The 26-year-old is high on Brendan Rodgers' transfer wish-list for the summer, with the Liverpool manager determined to add proven talent to a squad that will be competing in the Champions League next season.

Liverpool have inquired about a £20m deal for the Southampton captain but the south-coast club are believed to value their academy graduate in the region of £25m.

With Roy Hodgson keen to avoid any distractions before England take their World Cup preparations to Miami on 1 June, and Rodgers preferring to complete his main signings early, Lallana may have to leave Southampton in no doubt over his intentions to seal the transfer swiftly.

The boyhood Evertonian suggested this week that he was undecided over his future but he is understood to favour a move to Anfield over other interested parties, including Manchester United.

Source: The Guardian