Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that midfielder Adam Lallana will not feature again, by claiming ‘as long as we don’t need him, he will just train’.
The Reds have finally ended their 30-year wait for a league title, being confirmed as Champions with seven games to spare, as Lallana is yet to feature since the return of football.
The 32-year-old hasn’t even made bench, which has been extended to nine players, in any of Liverpool’s fixtures despite games coming thick and fast.
Now, head coach Klopp has confirmed that the England international will not be called upon unless it is absolutely necessary, and he aims to remain fit ahead of a move away from Anfield.
“It is clear Adam [Lallana] will leave the club in the summer, if the summer ever starts,” Klopp commented, as reported by The Guardian.
“I already miss everything about him. In this moment he is still here but we will miss 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.
“Everything with Adam is sorted, let me say it like this. He is so fit, he is training, everything is fine, but the future is his future. And if we need his help on the pitch we can get it. He trains 100% but as long as we don’t need him, he will just train.”
Lallana was out of contract at the end of June, in line with when the original season was due to end, however Liverpool have taken up an option to extend his current deal to the conclusion of the campaign.
With no offer on the table for the 32-year-old beyond this year, a number of clubs are circling for what would be a great free transfer, given his experience of the top flight.
With 178 appearances to his name, Lallana has seen his role at Liverpool change from a starter to a squad rotation player since his £25m move in 2014.
Despite his lack of game time of late, Klopp has heaped praise on the midfielder by underlining his importance to the squad since the German arrived on Merseyside.
“It was clear Adam would extend his contract and he wanted to do that as well, but he will not put any risk on his future or whatever. That is absolutely clear,” the Liverpool boss added.
“He is one of the most important players of the time since I am here so I wish him only the best for the future. From my point of view he is already a legend here, so he can become a legend somewhere else from next season.”
Reports suggest that the next destination for Lallana could be Leicester City, which would see him reunited with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
It was Rodgers who was persuaded to spend £25m on the midfielder back in 2014, and it seems that the Foxes head coach is keen to capture his signature once again.
Lallana would be an astute signing for most Premier League clubs given it would be a free transfer, and if he can remain fit and avoid injury there could still be plenty to come from the former Southampton man.
