Jurgen Klopp has paid Alberto Moreno a glowing tribute upon confirmation that the Spaniard is leaving Liverpool this summer.
The left-back, often derided during his time at Anfield, is departing after five years, having joined from Sevilla in 2014.
Moreno will exit for free, due to the expiration of his contract in a few weeks’ time.
In total, Moreno made 141 appearances for the Reds, but only five in 2018/19, with Andy Robertson unflappable ahead of him in the pecking order.
Klopp (perhaps slightly ambitiously) labelled Moreno ‘world-class’ and suggested he’ll be back in the Spain squad imminently.
“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,” he told the official website.
“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.”
We reckon Moreno will head abroad – likely to Serie A or La Liga – and do very well.
He was scapegoated by Reds, often harshly, for defensive lapses – but he never got a chance to consistently play alongside Virgil van Dijk and Alisson.
We’ve seen how much those two have improved the likes Joel Matip and even Dejan Lovren – but Moreno never got this benefit.
Going forward, he’s dynamic and hard-working – and was actually playing excellently during the first half of last season.
An injury enabled Robbo a chance, however, and the Scot obviously grasped it with both hands.
Good luck Albie. You’ll be missed!