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Adam Lallana makes ‘sad’ Liverpool profession as midfielder applauded as ‘legend’
It is the most vivid image from Jurgen Klopp’s first game as Liverpool manager in October 2015.
After running himself into the ground, Adam Lallana was replaced by Joe Allen with nine minutes remaining in the goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur.
Exhausted, the midfielder collapsed into Klopp’s arms on the touchline, becoming the first notable recipient of the Klopp bearhug, which would become one of many trademarks.
Lallana had been worn down by the high-pressing style that had become synonymous with Liverpool during the current manager’s early years in charge.
While Brendan Rodgers brought Lallana to Anfield the previous summer, it was under Klopp that he truly blossomed, quickly assuming the role of ‘the leader of the press’ and a regular in the side that reached the Europa League final in 2015/16 and qualified for the Champions League the following year.
Injuries would later stymie Lallana, limiting him to three starts in 2017/18, though he did come off the bench for an hour as a replacement for the injured Mohamed Salah in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
The following year, despite only making 16 appearances, the midfielder won the European Cup after coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
In his final season at Anfield, he made 22 appearances, including a late equalizer at Old Trafford – his final goal for Liverpool – and an appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup final win over Flamengo.
However, the season was suspended due to coronavirus, which meant Lallana, who had already agreed to join Brighton and Hove Albion on a free transfer in the summer, didn’t play in the final stages, with a late cameo against Bournemouth at home in March 2020 being his final appearance for the Reds.
He was, however, named to the bench for the final home game against Chelsea, allowing him to fully participate in the Premier League title celebrations, albeit behind closed doors.
“It was a sad way to leave because there was covid and I didn’t get to have a final game at Anfield with the fans,” admits Lallana.
“We were the champions but lifted the trophy in an empty stadium.”
Lallana has since taken on a pivotal role at Brighton, having started every Premier League game since the season opener against Burnley and, of course, being part of the team that won 1-0 at Anfield earlier this year.
And, speaking of his most recent return to his old haunts on Saturday afternoon, he says, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to going back there.” It will be memorable because I made many friends and we achieved greatness together.
Lallana has since taken on a pivotal role at Brighton, having started every Premier League game since the season opener against Burnley and, of course, being part of the team that won 1-0 at Anfield earlier this year.
And, speaking of his most recent return to his old haunts on Saturday afternoon, he says,“I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to going back there. It will be special, I made lots of friends and we achieved greatness together.
“I obviously want to go back there and win.”
The affection Klopp has long felt for Lallana is shared by those who played with him at Liverpool.
And, with supporters returning to Anfield, Andy Robertson is hoping for a rousing reception from home fans.
“We know how good Adam Lallana is as a player and we know how good he can handle the ball,” says Robertson. “He’s one of their main men and a close friend of all of us.
“I hope he gets a good reception at Anfield but hopefully we’ve done our job first and hopefully we’ve won the game when he does get that good reception because he certainly enjoyed his win at Anfield last season, and rightly so.
“Obviously he’s not played in front of fans since he’s left and I hope the Liverpool fans give him a huge reception, which I’m sure they will, because he’s a legend at this club and he’ll certainly deserve any reception he gets.”
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Adam Lallana makes ‘sad’ Liverpool profession as midfielder applauded as ‘legend’
