Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has agreed to extend his deal with the club until the end of the season.
England international Lallana, 32, was set to leave on a free transfer when his contract runs out on 30 June.
The 2019-20 season will restart on 17 June after a 100-day break because of the coronavirus pandemic and Lallana will now leave when the season ends.
“I am really pleased to have the chance to finish this season – it means a lot to me and my family,” said Lallana.
“I feel in my time at Liverpool I’ve always looked to do the right thing for the team, the manager and the club in every decision I’ve made. I think this one fits into that category as well, so I’m buzzing to be seeing out this campaign and hopefully get to celebrate something memorable with an amazing group of people.”
Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League and are on the verge of claiming their first league title in 30 years.
Their first match after the restart is at Everton on 21 June, with their last game scheduled to be away to Newcastle on 26 July.
Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, 36, who joined at the start of the season as back-up to Alisson Becker and Adrian but has not made an appearance, has signed a similar extension until the end of the season.
Manager Jurgen Klopp said it was “not possible” to find words to describe Lallana’s contribution since he took charge and welcomed the chance to give the former Southampton midfielder a “farewell he deserves so much”.
“I know how highly sought-after Adam is in this moment by other clubs who want him for next season, so for him this is a commitment to us and we are very appreciative to him for it,” said Klopp.
“Even the way he has handled this extension tells you all you need to know about the person and his character. A top-class professional and an even better person.
“He wants to be here to finish the job and do it properly, but it says everything about him that his biggest concern was blocking the progress and opportunity of a player who is under contract for next season also.”
Lallana’s time at Anfield has been hampered by injuries in the past two seasons and he has played 15 league games during the current campaign, scoring once.
He moved to Liverpool from Southampton for £25m in 2014 and was signed by then-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who has been linked with signing Lallana again for Leicester City.-BBC
