Jürgen Klopp has paid a glowing tribute to Adam Lallana after the out of contract midfielder signed a short term deal to stay on with the Reds until the end of the season.
Lallana is set to depart the club in the off-season with a reunion with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City a clear favourite to win his services.
In normal circumstances, Lallana would have already played his final game for the club, but with the extension of the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic he has agreed to play out the season with the Reds.
Klopp has never hidden his respect for Lallana throughout his tenure often speaking in glowing terms about the veteran.
Once again he was very proud of the 32 year-old after this gesture as the Mirror reported.
“What I can say – and want to say – is even the way he has handled this extension tells you all you need to know about the person and his character. A top-class professional and an even better person.
“He wants to be here to finish the job and do it properly, but it says everything about him that his biggest concern was blocking the progress and opportunity of a player who is under contract for next season also.
“But his role is too important to lose him before this season is done.
So, it’s fantastic we can delay our messages of gratitude and good luck until the end of July now.”
Despite not getting the amount of first team minutes he would like, Lallana said that the decision for him to finish what he started at Liverpool was a no-brainer.
“I am really pleased to have the chance to finish this season – it means a lot to me and my family.
“One of the big personal positives about committing to this short-term extension is that I will now get to say goodbye to the people who mean so much to me in the right way.
“The gaffer has been different class and we’ve had an honest conversation about what my role will be in the remaining weeks."
“I want to contribute in the most positive way possible that helps him and the team, not just for the remaining matches of this season – but also what they’ll need to consider for next."
“I feel in my time at Liverpool I’ve always looked to do the right thing in every decision I’ve made.
"I think this one fits into that category as well, so I’m buzzing to be seeing out this campaign and hopefully get to celebrate something memorable with an amazing group of people.”
Other confirmed departures from the club in the summer include Nathaniel Clyne, Pedro Chirivella and Andy Lonergan.
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