Adam Lallana has opened up on how he initially felt rejected when Jurgen Klopp told him he was no longer needed at Liverpool.
Lallana left the Reds on a free transfer during the summer at the end of his contract after six years with the Anfield club.
The former England international joined Liverpool from Southampton for £25million in July 2014 and was at the club when Klopp first arrived.
But despite being a regular in the early days of the German’s reign, he slowly became a squad player due to the elite quality added to Klopp’s squad over the past few years.
And although he was still with the Reds playing a vital part when they lifted the Premier League title, the 32-year-old had already known for months that his time with the club was up.
“I went in and asked the question because I wanted to know what my future looked like,” he said when asked about his Liverpool departure.
“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 any more. 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 realised 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.”
And while Lallana, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion during the summer, admits it was difficult to leave Merseyside, he is now enjoying his new lease of life with the East Sussex outfit.
*Who was your MOTM last night? Take our quick poll and have your say HERE.
“It was difficult to leave. But I wouldn’t say I’m missing it or homesick,” he added.
“Meeting new people and forming new relationships with team-mates is so refreshing and something I needed. It’s been absolutely fantastic.”
