Ex-Liverpool star opens up on Jurgen Klopp talk that left him feeling 'rejected'

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has reflected on the frank conversation with Jurgen Klopp that ended his Reds career after six trophy-laden seasons at Anfield

Adam Lallana, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Andrew Robertson with the Premier League trophy(Image: Getty Images)

Adam Lallana has previously confessed to feeling a sting when Jurgen Klopp told him he was no longer needed at Liverpool.

The ex-Red joined the club in 2014 and spent six seasons at Anfield, lifting several major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League. His Liverpool journey ended in 2020 when the club decided not to renew his contract following the victorious 2019-20 Premier League title-winning season.

During his six-year stint with Liverpool, Lallana made 178 appearances, netting 22 goals and setting up 21. While Brendan Rodgers was the one who brought Lallana, who retired last summer, from Southampton, he formed a close relationship with Klopp after the German took over as manager in October 2015.

The former England player was a regular feature during the early part of Klopp's reign, but he gradually found himself sidelined due to injuries and the influx of high-calibre talent at the club.

Lallana only managed to make 53 appearances across all competitions in his final three seasons at Liverpool, scoring just once.

With doubts looming over his future in his final year, he admitted that he felt his exit was on the horizon.

Lallana is now working as a coach after retiring from playing(Image: Getty Images)

After a frank discussion with Klopp, Lallana admitted to feeling cast aside as he disclosed: "I went in and asked the question because I wanted to know what my future looked like.

"I had half an idea what the answer would be, but felt it would be better to know and to have a frank conversation. We had that much respect for each other. It is a weird feeling when you get told that you are kind of not wanted anymore.

"There is an initial feeling of rejection, and I think that's normal in any walk of life.

"But, after a couple of days, when I realized it was going to be my last season at Liverpool, I made sure that I treated every day, every training session, like it was my last and didn't take anything for granted.

"I enjoyed the last six months as much as I did any year while I was at the club."

Fewer than two months after his departure from Liverpool, he joined Brighton on a three-year contract and described his time with the Seagulls as an experience he needed to undertake.

"It was difficult to leave," he admitted in 2020." But I wouldn't say I'm missing it or homesick. Meeting new people and forming new relationships with teammates is so refreshing and something I needed. It's been absolutely fantastic."

Lallana is anticipated to be a keen observer as his two former clubs battle for a place in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday evening. The Seagulls, who haven't secured a victory in their previous five fixtures, travel to Anfield with the Reds in buoyant mood following a confidence-boosting 1-0 triumph over Sunderland earlier this week.