KOP STURR-UP
Liverpool confirm Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno have left club just three days after Champions League win
DANIEL STURRIDGE and Alberto Moreno are leaving Liverpool, the new Champions League winners confirmed tonight.
Jurgen Klopp called former England striker Sturridge, 29, a "modern-day Liverpool great" and 26-year-old ex-Spain left-back Moreno "world class" as the Reds' boss announced their departures.
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Liverpool released a statement saying: "#LFC thank @DanielSturridge and @lfc18alberto for their outstanding contributions to the club.
"Everyone wishes Daniel and Alberto all the very best for their futures. They will always be a part of the #LFC Family."
And Klopp paid lengthy tributes to the duo on the club's website.
Sturridge's fortunes have been undermined by an electric front trio of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
And Divock Origi underlined his new status as first-choice back-up forward by coming on to fire the trophy-clinching late second goal in the 2-0 Euro final against Spurs in Madrid on Saturday.
Moreno, meanwhile, has barely had a look in since Scotland star Andrew Robertson took a sturdy grip on the left-back slot last year.
But Klopp said: “The most important words to say to these two remarkable players is ‘thank you’.
“They were here when I arrived as manager and during that period they - as much as anyone - helped to establish us as a team that would be heading in the right direction.
KOP FILES: HOW THE DUO MEASURED UP
ALBERTO MORENO'S LIVERPOOL RECORD
Debut: August 25, 2014.
Last game: January 1, 2019
Premier League: 90 appearances, three goals
Total: 141 appearances, three goals
Win ratio: 46.81%
W 66, D 37, L 38
DANIEL STURRIDGE'S LIVERPOL RECORD
Debut: January 6, 2013.
Last game: May 7, 2019
Premier League: 116 appearances, 50 goals
Total: 160 appearances, 67 goals
Win ratio: 56.88%
W 91, D 38, L31
"Without them we wouldn’t be the team and club we are in this moment.
“Alberto is a person whose personality is reflected in how he plays. Full of life, full of energy, always positive. An unbelievable character who is always willing to give all of himself for the team.
“I know this season, and the end of the last, maybe the minutes on the pitch he would have wanted and deserved were not there, but his contribution did not diminish. How he was in training kept the entire group on their toes.
";Albie is world class and I know he will be back in the Spain national team in the not too distant future.
“Daniel has earned the right to be considered a modern-day Liverpool great, I would think.
'GREAT LEADER'
"He came to the club while we were trying to rebuild and re-establish ourselves. Some of the goals he has scored for Liverpool were so, so, so important.
“He is one of the best finishers I have ever seen in my life. He scores goals you think could and should not be possible.
“Again, like many players in my squad, Daniel has had to be patient and contribute when asked during games, but even this season he has played a vital role.
“What maybe is missed on the outside of the club by many is what a great leader Daniel is in our dressing room.
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"He is smart, confident and not afraid to speak up when he thinks there is something that needs adapting to help the team. He has been great with many of the younger players also, so he has been so important to our progression here.
“I wish both players nothing but success and joy wherever their journey takes them next. Whoever has them next will be so lucky to have these outstanding personalities in their ranks.
“We will miss them of course, but we can say farewell with the best words possible: Guys, you leave as European Champions.”
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