Joe Gomez has compared Liverpool teammate Adam Lallana to "a shark when they see blood" following the 29-year-old's return to action.
Lallana missed the first four months of the campaign due to a thigh injury picked up in pre-season.
However, the former Southampton man is fit again, making his first start of the season in the 2-1 win over Burnley on New Year's Day.
With the talismanic Philippe Coutinho now at Barcelona, Gomez paid tribute to Lallana's style of play ahead of Sunday's crunch Premier League meeting with Manchester City.
"He always gets it right. That doesn't just mean running, it's timing," Gomez told Liverpool's official website.
"He senses it; like a shark when they see blood, they attack. He sees when there's an iffy pass or the weight of pass is off or someone has a dodgy touch, he is going to punish you quickly.
"Even if he doesn't win the ball, he is creating the possibility for someone else to just from his press. That's massive with the style of play the manager wants. He is so important."
Lallana scored eight goals for Liverpool last season as Jurgen Klopp's side sealed a Premier League top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
