Sunday 26 February 2017 12:48, UK
Jurgen Klopp insists midfielder Adam Lallana has an important role to play on and off the field for Liverpool.
The England international's form this season saw him rewarded with a new £110,000-a-week three-year contract on Wednesday.
But while he has been influential on the pitch, it is what he offers the side in addition to his playing skills which has made him a key component of Klopp's plans for the future.
"For me it was clear we had to try everything to keep a player like him. He is a very important player for us," said the Reds boss."I heard when I came in what a lot of people said about him before I came in but I actually only knew him from Southampton.
"Since I've been here he has been a really important player for all our development steps which we made - not only for him personally.
"I have a lot of time together with the players but I am not in the dressing room so you need to have players there too and he is one of them."
Lallana's new contract also has the option of a further 12-month extension, which would take him up to the age of 33.
That length of deal for a player who turns 29 in May also raised a few eyebrows, but Klopp has no concerns about keeping older players around the squad.
"He is really a good guy and a perfect age to deliver and get consistency in his performances," he said.
"I know in the world of football people say when you are 28, 'Why do you want to give a new contract' but you need this mixture of different styles of players, different age groups. "
Another player who appears to be starting to peak under Klopp is Georginio Wijnaldum, a summer arrival from Newcastle.
He too came under scrutiny following his £25million move after some inconsistent displays but after his recent performance, particularly during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Tottenham, the midfielder is proving his worth.
"He was good, very good. Maybe it was the best performance but I don't compare," Klopp said of the Netherlands international ahead of Monday's trip to Leicester, which is live on Sky Sports.
"It was a good game from him but it was not that simple and we need him [to do it] again.
"Sometimes the players are able to do it, sometimes not. If they are not able and their attitude is still good then I need to find the right reasons."
