Jürgen Klopp paid tribute to Adam Lallana when the Liverpool boss indicated that the midfielder had played his last game in Anfield.
Lallana will leave the Reds when the season is over after signing a short-term contract extension to stay with the club beyond the end of June last month.
This ends a six-year stay for the former Southampton skipper and he leaves with the medals of the Champions League and Premier League winners to demonstrate his efforts on Merseyside.
The 32-year-old could be one of the most sought-after free agents this summer as the clubs want to strategically use the market given the effects of the corona virus on the finances of all sport.
And Klopp greeted his outgoing midfielder for all of his work during the Reds manager’s nearly five years with the club and called him a “legend” for the success he has brought Anfield.
“He had a lot of important games for us, but what he did on the training pitch was absolutely exceptional,” said Klopp.
“If the young players talk about their first two years in the future, they will mention Adam Lallana 100 percent.
“Not just him, but he too, because how these guys train in every session is an example for everyone else. Look, Adam is, oh my god. It is clear that Adam will leave the club in the summer – if it still does that’s summer, hopefully, if summer ever begins!
“If you ask me about it, I miss everything about him. At that moment he’s still here.
“But we will miss him. He is one of the most influential players in terms of training quality I have ever had in my life. He is an incredible professional.”
Although the team has had the opportunity to play five submarines on a nine-man bench since the restart, Lallana has yet to play for the newly crowned champion in the previous four games.
And Klopp suggested making such a decision to avoid Lallana getting an injury that could affect his next move if he enters Liverpool in the last few weeks of his time.
Klopp added: “But now we have a difficult situation, but I respect Adam very much. And everything with Adam is sorted, let me put it that way. He is so fit, he trains, everything is fine.
“But yes. The future is his future. And if we need his help on the pitch, we can get it. He’s there. He trains 100 percent, but as long as we don’t need it, he’ll only train.”
“This is normal. I think there was a lot of discussion about players without contracts, there wasn’t even a discussion with him.
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“It was clear that Adam would extend his contract and he wanted to, but he won’t take any chances for his future or whatever. That is absolutely clear.
“He has been one of the most important players of the time since I came here. I only wish him the best for the future.
“From my point of view, he’s already a legend here, so he can become a legend elsewhere next season.”
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