Klopp sends emotional tribute to former Liverpool star he ’embarrassed’

Jurgen Klopp has reiterated his belief that Adam Lallana is a “Liverpool legend” as he prepares to welcome the Brighton midfielder back to Anfield.

Lallana six years at Liverpool, five of them working under Klopp, before leaving at the end of last season.

The 34-cap England international was a key player during the early days of Klopp’s tenure. However, injuries plagued his last few years on Merseyside.

Lallana’s spell with Liverpool ended on a high note, as they won the Premier League in his final season. He only started three league games of that campaign, though.

Even so, he could leave Anfield with his head held high for what he had accomplished in his previous years with the club.

Lallana has since moved to Brighton, where he has started 10 league games so far. On Wednesday night, he returns to Liverpool as an opponent for the first time since leaving the club.

Writing in the matchday programme, Klopp refused to back down from his praise of his former player, even though his previous comments have left Lallana “a little embarrassed”.

Liverpool v Brighton Match Preview, February 03, 2021

Liverpool v Brighton Match Preview, February 03, 2021

A look ahead to the Premier League game between Liverpool and Brighton, including stats on form, possession, shots, cards, corners, top scorers and previous meetings.

Klopp said: “Our visitors today have many talented players but there is one we are very familiar with at LFC.

“I will have to stop myself saying too much on Adam Lallana because I could write a book. And I have to be respectful to the fact he is our opponent today… he wants to beat us and we him.

“But I must mention what a special person he was for us – and in truth remains so. When he left, I described him as a Liverpool legend for his contribution and I read somewhere recently he felt a little embarrassed by that. But he absolutely shouldn’t. It’s a status he has earned and then some.

“Thirty-six Premier League matches a season I look forward to seeing Adam play. There are two when I do not… today is one of those.”

Lallana had ‘great relationship’ with Klopp

Speaking back in October, Lallana shed light on his positive relationship with Klopp – and how it affected his departure.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: “To give you a bit of an insight, I spoke to Jurgen (Klopp) in October of last year and just sat down and had an open conversation.

“We have a great relationship and I just said ‘what’s it looking like for me next year?’. I know I’m out of contract and I know I’m not playing regularly.

“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’.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not in my plans or he isn’t going to use me. Four days later he brought me on at Old Trafford and I scored the equaliser and I think that shows what type of person Jurgen is. He’s very honest.

“He said to me I deserve to be playing more and I deserve more game time and to be playing more. He couldn’t offer that to me so from then I had his blessing the club’s blessing to give my agent the go-ahead to speak to other clubs about next season, which is now this season.”

Lallana seems to have made the right choice, as he has found much more gametime with Brighton.

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