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According to its manufacturer, the Liverpool FC jersey uses a revolutionary “moisture-management liner” that helps keep sweat away from the body, and boasts a “two-piece heritage-inspired collar”, which allows for “both comfort and freedom of movement.”

According to Brendan Rodgers, though, that jersey also has a tendency to feel rather heavy to those who wear it.

It is a point the Reds boss made at length recently when discussing his side’s underwhelming start to the season. A two-piece collar is fine, but broad shoulders are more important. They’re certainly needed if you’re going to wear this shirt.

It is fair to say that the jury is still out with regards to Liverpool’s recruitment policy this summer. Nine signings, more than £100m spent, but so far more questions than answers. The impatience of modern football.

It takes a strong character, as well as a good player, to shine in the Anfield spotlight. And if Rodgers wanted an indicator as to which of his new signings are likely to flourish, the cut and thrust of the 223rd derby may well have provided it.

His starting line-up here contained six of those summer signings, a nod to the radical changes at the club since the 4-0 win in this fixture back in January, and a chance for the new-boys to sink or swim. By and large, they swam.

Chief among them was Adam Lallana. At £25m, the 26-year-old was the most expensive of Rodgers’ signings, and here he turned in a performance which will do plenty to endear him to even the more sceptical Reds fans.

It was a performance of quality, of quick feet and bright touches, of awareness and threat, and perhaps more importantly, of 90 minutes’ hard graft.

Phil Jagielka may have spoilt the mood somewhat, but the sight of Lallana chasing down Everton defenders in the dying minutes, forcing them to play the ball back to Tim Howard from the halfway line, had drawn one of the loudest cheers of the afternoon.

It showed a player willing to fight for success at Anfield, and one in tune with the demands of wearing the famous jersey. The fact that he missed pretty much the whole of pre-season, and had played 120 minutes against Middlesbrough in midweek, made his durability all the more impressive. “Outstanding,” was his manager’s assessment.

It is easy to forget just how good a player Liverpool have acquired in Lallana. Two-footed and mobile, with an ability to deceive defenders with a sharp change of direction, and the quality to both create and score goals, his is a genuine talent, and one which appears to be supplemented with a high work-rate and a strong mentality.

Click here to read James Pearce's Merseyside derby verdict

“Not for one minute did I think it would be easy coming to join such a big club,” he said in the build-up to this game. “You have to work twice as hard, but this is where I want to be. I want to be tested, I want to work and I want to do well.”

He certainly did well here. He was in the game from the first minute, his quick feet tempting Gareth Barry into an ill-judged challenge on the edge of the box in the first minute. The booking Barry received could well have been costly, had Martin Atkinson been in a harsher mood later in the afternoon.

Deployed centrally in support of Mario Balotelli, Lallana was bright and busy throughout the first 45 minutes, linking midfield and attack, travelling with the ball and forcing Tim Howard into the best save of the half with a powerful header from a Steven Gerrard corner.

With Lazar Markovic, by contrast, struggling badly after being surprisingly given the nod to start, Lallana continued to carry the fight in the second half. He pressed, he ran, and more often than not he used the ball smartly and accurately.

“After every game I’m feeling more comfortable,” he said afterwards. It is showing.

He was one of the few to emerge with credit from the debacle at West Ham last week and showed, in patches, plenty of quality against Middlesbrough too. At £25m, expectations will always be high, but Lallana looks ready for the challenge.

As, too, do the full-backs Alberto Moreno and Javi Manquillo. Moreno stood up well to Romelu Lukaku, while on the other flank Manquillo continues to impress with his unfussy, competitive style. The new Alvaro Arbeloa?

Markovic, unfortunately, looked overawed by the occasion, but Dejan Lovren turned in a much-improved display alongside Martin Skrtel, and Mario Balotelli’s willingness to work bodes well, even if he will feel he should have wrapped the game up with a second goal.

Let’s not dodge the obvious; Liverpool remain some way below their best, and below what is expected of this side, right now. Seven points from six games is not the start anyone at Anfield envisaged. Rodgers knows his side must improve in all areas.

But doom and gloom? Not just yet. They have improved in each of Rodgers’ first two seasons, and should do so again once Daniel Sturridge returns from injury, perhaps next weekend. The glass, for now, remains half-full.

Of course, it is up to the likes of Lallana to ensure Liverpool battle through their sluggish start. On this evidence, the challenge has been accepted.

Watch: James Pearce on the Merseyside derby