'Takes over your life' - Adam Lallana gives honest verdict on Liverpool exit and Jurgen Klopp relationship
Former Liverpool midfielder explains the similarities and differences between Jurgen Klopp and his current manager at Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi
Adam Lallana regards Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp as more of a father figure whilst currently having a brotherly relationship with current manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The 35-year-old spent six years at Liverpool, almost five of which were under Klopp's tutelage. The pair won four trophies together, although it was during this era that the midfielder's career was unfortunately struck by consistent injury woes.
At the end of his contract he departed to join Brighton, and in the years that followed has been a part of an exciting project that has witnessed the South Coast club turn numerous prospects into world-class stars commanding multi-million fees - Alexis Mac Allister an example this summer as he transferred to Anfield.
Now making preparations to move into coaching at the end of his playing career, Lallana details the differences between the two influential managers and explains how De Zerbi has recently aided his development.
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“Roberto is like the older brother I never had. He’s as demanding as hell but I always want to impress him and make sure he’s not disappointed in me. His demands are extremely high," he told the Times.
"As demanding as Jurgen’s [Klopp] in a way, but in a different way. The manager is obsessed tactically, and that’s the Italian in him, whereas Jurgen was obsessed with emotional football. They are different, but it both works.
"He [De Zerbi] let me shadow him for four months at the end of last season when I was injured. It’s like what an older brother would do – you want your little brother with you, always. The relationship we have is not like other relationships at clubs. He’s 44, I am 35, so there is an age gap where he could be my brother.
"Before with Mauricio [Pochettino at Southampton] or Jurgen, they were more father figures. It’s a cool relationship. Really cool."
The Seagulls' unforeseen transition into a newly-promoted club into the Europa League contenders they are today was a shock to many, including Lallana himself, who despite having the credentials to still feature at the highest level knew his career was winding down post-Liverpool.
Still the former England international remains hungry for his current club to succeed and be a part of it all as he describes how Brighton have closed the gap to his former club.
"I was coming out of Liverpool and I was ready to breathe again," he explained. "Playing six years with the intensity of that club takes over your life.
"I am not saying this hasn’t because there is a massive part where coming to Brighton has taken over my life – I didn’t think it would but it has – and that’s just because of how much I have enjoyed it and how much it is morphing into... we are in the same [European] competition as Liverpool, we finished one place behind them [in the Premier League].
"We are nowhere near Liverpool, I am not saying that, but we are finding ways to win football matches which is bloody hard in the best league in the world where every team is coming."