Rodgers breaks silence on ‘top-class’ Lallana amid Liverpool exit links

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has said that Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana will be “weighing up his options” as the expiration of his Anfield contract draws nearer.

Lallana was brought to Liverpool from Southampton by Rodgers in 2014 and was impressive under the Northern Irishman, before continuing to flourish in the first couple of seasons of Jurgen Klopp‘s tenure.

However, injury problems and the additions of Naby Keita and Fabinho have cut the first-team opportunities available to Lallana, with the Englishman making only 19 appearances this term.

His lack of game time, as well as the fact that his contract runs out in the summer, have led to speculation that Lallana could leave the Reds this summer, with Leicester one of the sides said to be interested in the 31-year-old.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference [via Sky Sports News], however, Rodgers was coy on such rumours but talked up the midfielder’s abilities.

Rodgers said: “Adam is a fantastic player and one I brought into Liverpool. I have been aware of his talents since he was a young player at Southampton.

“He has done brilliantly [at Liverpool] and I’m sure he will be weighing up his options.

“But I don’t need to speak about that now. We’ve spoken about that all through January. I don’t need to speak about the summer transfer window. I would only add he is a top-class player.”

Lallana has made 175 Liverpool appearances, scoring 22 goals and assisting the same number.

 

 

 

In other news, Liverpool are one of three clubs to have made an approach for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, according to reports.

Casemiro is one of the longest-serving players in Zinedine Zidane’s squad, having moved to the Spanish capital in 2013.

However, Don Balon claims that his salary falls well below that of his teammates and he wants a significant increase on his wages in a new deal.

Should Casemiro be denied a pay hike, it is said that he and his agent will consider the proposals from across Europe.

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