BBC pundit Garth Crooks believes Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana's initial struggles at Liverpool were down to the shadows cast by legend Steven Gerrard and current talisman Philippe Coutinho.
The England midfielder produced a scintillating performance against Arsenal on Saturday to help his teammates to an impressive 3-1 win and keep in the race for a Champions League place.
The 28-year-old didn't register a goal or assist, but pulled the strings to wonderful effectand gained plaudits for his performance nonetheless.
Lallana has largely been fantastic for Jurgen Klopp's side this season, and was recently rewarded by the club for his displaysin the form of a contract extension and wage increase to £110k-a-week.
It's that time of the week.
Harry Kane has made it but who else is in Garth Crooks' team of the week?https://t.co/YmnzsvmneH pic.twitter.com/MweoNwsPt6
He has certainly emerged as one of Liverpool's most influential players this year, and according to Garth Crooks, it's because he is no longer suppressed by other figures in midfield.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "It's taken some time for Adam Lallana to become the star performer for Liverpool he was at Southampton. Perhaps he was a little intimidated by ex-midfielder Steven Gerrard's presence when he first arrived at Liverpool?
"Or perhaps it took more time to come to terms with Philippe Coutinho's dominance in the team?Well, whatever it was, he seems to have shed his concerns and is playing football with a confidence I haven't seen since his days at St Mary's.
"Against Arsenal, he helped make Sadio Mane's goal and was superb in prising the opening that led to Georginio Wijnaldum's slick finish."
Workhorse Lallana and his teammates take on Burnley on Sunday hoping to gain ground on Manchester City, who will have played their game against Stoke on Wednesday.