Liverpool could lose Adam Lallana for free this summer with clubs in China and MLS keen on transfer
LIVERPOOL could lose Adam Lallana for free this summer with the midfielder emerging as a key target for clubs in both the Chinese Super League and MLS.
The England star is in the last year of his contract at Anfield and is able to sign a pre-agreement with any non-Premier League suitors in January.
The 31-year-old is highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp, who admires the playmaker for both his experience in the squad and his versatility.
Although Lallana is yet to be officially offered fresh terms to prolong his stay on Merseyside, the Reds are ready to discuss an extension to his contract, according to .
The former Southampton captain made his first Prem start since March in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, deputising for Fabinho who is one booking away from a suspension.
Klopp said: "It was not so difficult because we had a look at the things we needed against Villa and I think you saw how good Adam Lallana worked in that system.
"It's a game (Villa) where we had a lot of possession. We had to see how Adam recovered from midweek, but at the moment he is fine. The decision was not so difficult.
"Adam did really well, he played a really good game. In a game like this, you need that kind of deeper playmaker. That's how it is.
"From that position, pass the ball, chip the ball, all that stuff. And he did that. He had a lot of ball recoveries, was good in the air, it was a good game."
The best thing a footballer can do when you have the opportunity is play well and that’s what Adam is doing
Jurgen Klopp on Adam Lallana
On his contract, he added: “I don’t know exactly what will happen in May, for anybody by the way, but the best thing a footballer can do when you have the opportunity is play well and that’s what Adam is doing.
“Now is the second time in a row, when he came on against (Manchester) United he was good.
“After a long time he had with some injuries here and there, he is in outstanding shape physically. That’s the most important thing for a career and all the rest, we will see.”
Lallana has suffered an injury-plagued past few seasons at Anfield, and would likely be offered longer terms with the promise of more regular football from clubs in China and America.
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that the former England International's three-year deal that he penned at Liverpool in 2017 contained the option of an additional 12 months.
In this case, the Reds could trigger the clause to automatically and tie Lallana down until 2021 to avoid losing him for free.
But that would take him beyond his 33rd birthday and it is yet to be seen whether Liverpool would want the £110,000-a-week star on their books for that long.