Adam Lallana has offered some insight as to what Jurgen Klopp told him shortly before leaving Liverpool.
The 34-cap England international told BBC Radio Five Live (via The Mirror): “Although I had a pretty big role in the squad around the team, I wanted a bit of honesty. He basically said to me in October, get your agent to start looking for another club.’
In Lallana’s final season at Anfield, he was part of the squad which won the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and of course, the Premier League title.
After being signed by Brendan Rodgers from Southampton for £25 million, the attacking midfielder went on to make 178 appearances for Liverpool.
Lallana netted 22 goals and recorded 22 assists in that time, while also helping the Merseysiders lift the UEFA Champions League.
Klopp’s comments sound blunt, but in truth, the pair had a great relationship – it definitely wasn’t a case of the German ordering the midfielder out of Anfield.
The Mirror also quote the former Borussia Dortmund boss as saying that he misses everything about the 32-year-old.
Klopp described Lallana as one of the most influential players he’s ever had during his coaching career, before describing the St Albans-born player as having ‘incredible’ levels of professionalism.
The Liverpool boss said: ‘For now, if you ask me about it, I miss already everything about him. He is one of the most influential players on the training quality I have ever had in my life. He is an incredible professional.’
It is certainly interesting to see that Klopp told Lallana to start looking for a new club, despite being so fond of the Brighton player.
It just goes to show that, while the German didn’t have any plans for Lallana, he wanted to ensure he had enough time to find the best possible destination for him.
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