Ex-Liverpool star and Jurgen Klopp favorite announces retirement in emotional statement
Former Liverpool star Adam Lallana has announced his retirement after a career that spanned two decades.
The 37-year-old, who spent six years at Anfield between 2014 and 2020, also played for Southampton and Brighton, starting and ending his career with the former.
Advertisement
Lallana — who ended this season in a coaching role — made 283 appearances for Southampton, earning a move to Liverpool 11 years ago, and during his time with the Reds, Lallana — a favorite of Jurgen Klopp — won the Premier League, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
After leaving Liverpool as a free agent, Lallana spent four seasons at Brighton before returning to Southampton last summer.
READ MORE: Liverpool could strike bargain Malick Fofana transfer after Lyon relegation confirmed
READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold sends message to Ibrahima Konate as Liverpool could face transfer repeat
Advertisement
"As I call time on my playing career, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride," Lallana wrote as he confirmed his retirement. "I could not be more appreciative of the opportunities I've been given and the support I've received along the way.
"You owe so much to so many on a journey like this — it's impossible to name everyone, but to all those please know how grateful I am. I couldn't have done it without you.
"It's crazy to think this all began in the last millennium, when I signed for the academy in 1999. Since making my professional debut in 2006, I realise I've been blessed to live the dream that millions of people share.
"Southampton… the place where it all started, and fittingly where it ends. It's the club I ultimately owe everything to; Liverpool… the chance to represent one of the greatest clubs in the world and win some of the biggest prizes in the game; Brighton… home to some of the happiest years of my life, at a club deeply connected to its community and run in such a smart, modern way; And England… every single cap meant the world to me. Representing my country was the greatest honour.
Advertisement
"I'm proud of the playing career I've had and have no regrets about any of it. I embrace all the highs and all the lows as they've shaped me into who I am.
"To everyone who made the journey so special, the staff at each club and organisation, the managers and coaches, my teammates, and of course the supporters — thank you.
"But most of all, to my own team… my family. My wife Emily, our amazing sons, my mum, dad and sister, thank you for putting up with me and being in my corner through it all. I'm excited for whatever the future brings."
Lallana was signed by Brendan Rodgers but spent the majority of his time at Liverpool playing under Jurgen Klopp. Speaking in 2021, a year after Lallana left Liverpool, Klopp revealed just how highly he regarded the midfielder.
Advertisement
'I miss Adam still, to be honest," Klopp said. "We obviously don't have plenty of sessions during the week, because we play that often, but Adam set the standard from first to the last day. That was really impressive.
'What I loved about him, a football player with the technical skills he has, then this working mentality, is really rare. I think we all agree, if Adam would have been a little bit less often injured, that could have been still on another level than it was already. One of the best players I ever worked with, absolutely incredible person as well."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Manchester United report: Mason Mount future confirmed, following exit rumours
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Manchester United man Mason Mount has a huge season ahead of him. | Credit: Getty Images It's fair to say Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount hasn't had the best luck at Old Trafford so far. Advertisement The 26-year-old midfielder has been hit with what appears to be never-ending injury problems, having only played 46 times for the Red Devils across two seasons. Managers aplenty, Mount has often found consistency in the side something of a rarity. According to Transfermarkt stats, the England international has missed 50 games for the Red Devils since his move from Stamford Bridge in 2023, and questions over his future have hit the headlines once again this summer. With Ruben Amorim eyeing a rebuild at Old Trafford, could Mount be on the move? Mason Mount's Manchester United future confirmed Ruben Amorim wants changes in his squad | Credit: Getty Images Known for his tenacious pressing, never-say-die midfield attitude and impressive ball carrying, all of those key attributes need games to get up to speed, and more importantly, a system that suits it. Advertisement Back in 2022/23, arguably his best season at Chelsea, Mount was ranked by FBref in the 99th percentile, when compared with players from the top six leagues around Europe, for shots blocked and in the 93rd percentile for tackles in the attacking third. Manchester United star Mason Mount suffered another injury-hit campaign in 2024/25 | Credit: Getty Images If this shows anything, it is that Amorim has one of the best players in the last few years for pressing and hurrying defences in high areas to help win the ball back. Mount's Chelsea won the Champions League that season, with Thomas Tuchel's system showing he benefited massively from the 3-4-3 formation, something similar to what Amorim wants to use at Manchester United. It is no secret how big a fan the former Sporting boss is of Mount, having waxed lyrical about him in the past. Advertisement Rumours of an exit have been talked up in the media, but transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has quickly put them to bed recently, admitting Mount is set to stay at the Theatre of Dreams in the bid to kick on with a full pre-season behind him. "We've had stories about Mason Mount maybe leaving Manchester United, about Mount maybe being involved in swap deals this summer," began Romano via his YouTube channel. Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount in action | Credit: Getty Images "Obviously we have plenty of time this summer to see things evolving and surprises… but as of today nearing the end of June, the clear intention of Mason Mount is to stay at Manchester United. Advertisement "Mount is planning to continue at Man Utd, to have an important pre-season, being well, fully fit, working under Ruben Amorim who has always [spoke highly] of Mount during his first season as Man Utd coach. So always showing his full confidence in the player. Now it's about being fit and being ready, but the intention of Mount is to stay at Manchester United." In FourFourTwo's view, Manchester United's squad needs trimming, and according to reports, Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho will all leave the club this summer. This will help the England star no end, but he must stay fit. Despite not impressing on the whole, Mount starting over Garnacho in the Europa League final over Tottenham shows the faith Amorim has in the 26-year-old, and we feel he could be in for a huge campaign if he keeps injury-free across the summer.
New York Times
24 minutes ago
- New York Times
Marcus Bettinelli: Playing with ‘winners' was the reason for Man City move, ‘near impossible to say no'
Marcus Bettinelli says the prospect of working with 'winners' was why he swapped life as back-up goalkeeper at Chelsea for Manchester City. The 33-year-old spent four years at Stamford Bridge but has replaced Scott Carson in the role of third-choice goalkeeper behind Ederson and Stefan Ortega. 'I think obviously when you get a phone call from Man City and you've got a chance to work with winners and Pep (Guardiola), who's won everything in his career, to learn from him, to see how he works, to see this mentality that the lads have in his team, it was near impossible for me to say no. Advertisement 'I've always been a London boy… so leaving for myself and my family was obviously always a big decision but when Man City phone, these ideas kind of go out the window. You only really have one choice and that is to go because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.' City paid a nominal fee for Bettinelli, who joined his news team-mates just days before flying out to the U.S. for the Club World Cup. 'It was a bit of a whirlwind,' Bettinelli said. 'Obviously, last season I was at Chelsea and we had the Conference League final, which only felt like a week ago now. But yes, that finished and then I had a small break, but I managed to get away and stuff. 'Then I was going back and I think the intention was always to go to America with Chelsea, to be honest. And then I got the phone call from my agent and he said, 'You might be going to America, but you might be with a different team, really. And I said, 'Alright, with who?' and he said, Manchester City. So, yes, it was obviously a bit of a crazy few days.' City are going through a lot of change and finding a replacement for a popular figure like Carson meant identifying the right type of character for what is largely a supporting role. Bettinelli has found the transition easy having spoken to Guardiola and his backroom staff before moving to a similar role. 'I've done that for the last four years at Chelsea. Very different, obviously, young squad and stuff. Also, at the same time, when I first went there, I think they'd just won the Champions League, so it was filled with winners as well. 'I definitely got that sense here when I first joined. It's filled with winners and big leaders and stuff. So hopefully over the next couple of years that I'm here, I can obviously implement that. I don't need to come here and do anything extraordinary. These boys have been winning stuff for years and they've got extreme mentality. So, yes, it's a pleasure to be a part of, a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to train with. Hopefully I can contribute where I can. Advertisement 'I've done this role for four years now. I've really enjoyed it. I've worked with some top-class goalkeepers and obviously got the chance now to work with Eddie and Stef, who have welcomed me extremely well. I'm always obviously trying to learn. I know I'm 33, but you can always learn in this game. You can always take little bits off each goalkeeper. So, the fact that I've got a chance to work with them and see how they work and take a bit off them and my role here is to make sure that whoever plays on the weekend is 100 per cent ready and mentally and physically right. 'That's my job and that's my aim. And at the end of the day, if the gaffer needs me to step in and play a game or come on, whatever that is, then so be it. I'll also have to be ready. And if that does happen, great. If it doesn't, I also love the fact that I can obviously help the boys, help the team and help whoever's playing.' (Jan Kruger – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Arne Slot 'puts himself under huge pressure' with Liverpool transfer business
Liverpool has come out swinging in the transfer market, making a series of hugely exciting additions with the promise of more to come. But at least one onlooker believes that Arne Slot could be putting himself under serious pressure in his second season. Advertisement In terms of completed deals, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are both already through the door from Bayer Leverkusen. So too is Giorgi Mamardashvili, a transfer having been agreed last summer. Meanwhile, a move for Milos Kerkez appears imminent. And if Darwin Nunez leaves as expected, with Napoli keen, then Liverpool could reinvest in a marquee striker. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Milos Kerkez medical, Marc Guehi latest, Darwin Nunez 'priority' READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold sends message to Ibrahima Konate as Liverpool could face transfer repeat That player may yet even be Alexander Isak. While such an outcome is distinctly unlikely, it is not impossible, and the summer would go down as one of the most outlandish, impressive transfer windows ever conducted by any club. Advertisement But even assuming that move does not materialize, there can be no denying that Liverpool has ramped up expectations even higher with its transfer activity. Remarkably, it is currently the bookies' favorite to win both the Premier League and the Champions League. Those markets are profoundly affected by gambling activity, so perhaps it's a case of one too many Liverpool fans getting swept up in Wirtz fever. Even so, when a reigning league champion strengthens this much, there is always going to be added pressure to go again. At least one pundit seems to think so. Writing for the BBC blog, Pat Nevin hailed Liverpool's business, but issued a warning. "There is no such thing as a sure-fire winner in this business... but I suspect Florian Wirtz is as close as you get in the modern game," Nevin mused. "Wirtz is different - and so he should be at a princely £100 million ($136 million) before add-ons. Florian Wirtz was unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre -Credit:Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images "With Kerkez, the exciting Jeremie Frimpong and the fabulous Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili [as well as Wirtz], Arne Slot has put himself under huge pressure because just about everyone has them as favourites to retain their title. I wouldn't argue with that for a second." Advertisement Liverpool's last attempted title defense somewhat unfairly got dubbed the worst ever, as a spate of injuries meant it was all Jurgen Klopp could do to salvage a top-four finish. That, too, will turn up the heat on Slot. But this is the man for whom the task of replacing a legend like Klopp was water off a duck's back. Playing into the Dutch stereotype of pragmatism bordering on bluntness, he will presumably view reinforcements as an entirely positive thing, rather than a source of any extra pressure. Nor does the assessment of the pressure on Liverpool take into account the outgoing business. Under other circumstances, the loss of someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold would have had many questioning if the Reds' top-four status could be under threat. Others could still leave, too. Harvey Elliott is among the more notable names being heavily linked with a departure, while there is creeping uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate. Even so, there's no escaping the fact that Slot entered his first Liverpool season with the Champions League places considered a reasonable goal, and will enter his second with the expectation that he challenges for (or maybe even wins) the title. But as the saying goes: pressure is a privilege.
