Adam Lallana's Liverpool career is officially over.The English midfielder said his goodbyes to Reds fans on Instagram yesterday, with Liverpool players paying tribute to the 32-year-old on social media.While Lallana's career has been blighted by injuries in the past few years, there's no denying that he's played a vital role since Jurgen Klopp's arrival in 2015.For a period, Lallana was the German's key man in midfield and despite his lack of game time of late, he's still played a huge part on the training ground by helping Liverpool's collection of impressive youngsters.Neco Williams said of his former teammate, per Goal: "Every session he would try and help me, ask me stuff, listen to me.
“He’s a character where if you give the ball away he will get at you and tell you, but if you do something good then he’s the first to say well done to you."An invaluable servant to Liverpool and fans are getting even more emotional about his departure after viewing footage of his tribute to club captain, Jordan Henderson.
Lallana said: “I haven’t been with Jordan throughout the whole journey. I’ve been alongside him when he’s had his down moments."
The interview had to be paused for a short time to allow a visibly teary-eyed Lallana to compose himself.
He then added: “He’s had a couple of injuries and he’s been alongside me and my dark moments, injuries. It’s not just defeats these dark moments.
“That’ll be a constant battle for Premier League footballers throughout footballing careers because you’re just looking for answers - try harder, do this, do that. There is nothing that will guarantee fitness, you’ve just got to keep working and doing your job.
“There was one morning - because we used to drive in a lot, me and Jordan - and we drew 3-3 to Sevilla. It felt like a defeat and I remember Jordan, he had his hood up and just hearing him say ‘as captain that can’t happen, I’ve got to be responsible for that.’
“Just to hear how honest he was but thinking ‘are you crazy to be taking that responsibility? It’s the team’s responsibility, we’ve not even lost the game.’
“That just epitomises his selflessness and how much responsibility he takes for Liverpool Football Club in the bad moments, that’s not the good moments.
“That’s why he deserves this more than anyone else. He deserves to be the captain of Liverpool holding the four trophies in one season more than anyone else and no one can take that away from him ever.
“Being not just his friend but his teammate, nothing makes me happier.”
A very touching tribute.
Brighton are reportedly the favourites to sign Lallana on a free transfer for next season and if he can regain full fitness, the Seagulls will be acquiring a seriously talented footballer.
Never forget, there was a time when Lallana was England's best player and let's hope he can rediscover his best form in 2020/21.