"There is time to give them all the farewell they deserve" - Jurgen Klopp heaps praises on Liverpool quartet leaving the club this summer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the contributions made by Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita to the club.

The Reds announced earlier this week that all four players, who will be out of contract this summer, will depart Anfield as free agents. For many fans, it marked the club's first steps towards a rebuild after what has been a disappointing season.

However, analysts and a part of the fanbase believe the quartet, particularly Firmino and Milner, have made major contributions to their recent success. Klopp too has lauded the careers they have had at the club.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Reds' Premier League clash with Aston Villa, the German tactician said (as quoted by the Liverpool Echo):

"We have time until Monday to give them all the farewell they deserve. Millie and Bobby wouldn't like it if people forget Ox and Naby. Bobby 100% deserves (his reception).

"But there is time to give them all the farewell they deserve. Millie played an incredible number of games. Same for Bobby."

He added about Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita:

"Ox came here as a young talent and became here a great character and real good guy. Naby, everybody knows. We spent a lot of money, a lot of expectations. Because of injuries he couldn't meet all of them.

"But look at the football he played in his best moments. Played big games, scored big goals."

"Go back and look at the big, big games. The goals he scored, the games he played, and the football he could play in his good moments."

#LFC

liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football…

While Firmino and Milner were already at Liverpool when Klopp arrived in 2015, Oxlade-Chamberlain was signed from Arsenal for around £35 million in 2017. Keita joined the Reds from RB Leipzig on a transfer fee worth £52.75 million in the following summer.

Overall, Milner has made 330 appearances for the club, recording 26 goals and 46 assists. Firmino, meanwhile, has played 360 times for the team and scored 109 goals while laying out 79 assists.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita were plagued by injuries during their spells at Anfield. However, the former has still played 146 times for Liverpool, scoring 18 times and providing 15 assists. The latter, meanwhile, has made 129 appearances for the Merseyside club, registering 11 goals and seven assists.

The quartet won the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup together at Liverpool.

Departing Liverpool quartet seem to be garnering interest from various clubs

Roberto Firmino has been the subject of transfer rumors for a few months now. The soon-to-be-free agent was linked with Barcelona by Eurosport in March. More recently, fichajes.net (via the Liverpool Echo) reported that Real Madrid are also interested in Firmino.

Meanwhile, transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this month that James Milner was close to joining Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls notably have former Reds midfielder Adam Lallana in their ranks.

EXCL: Brighton are closing in on verbal agreement to sign Mahmoud Dahoud as free agent. 🚨🔵 #BHAFC

Deal’s now very advanced, waiting to fix final details and then sign documents.

Could be 3rd signing after João Pedro [done] and Milner [almost done] — if all goes to plan. https://t.co/VSEd1GhtPL

In March this year, Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenburg reported that Naby Keita has interest from Germany. However, there isn't any more clarity on where he could end up this summer.

❗️News #Keita: The 27 y/o is on verge to leave #LFC as a free agent in summer! Contract extension unlikely at this stage. Many clubs are interested to sign him. But he won’t join Galatasaray. His return to 🇩🇪 is not excluded. Regular starter in the last 4 matches. @SkySportDE 🇬🇳 https://t.co/DdNHN1Hfhk

Lastly, the Daily Mail reported in March that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the subject of interest from three Premier League clubs. The list included Newcastle United, Brighton and Aston Villa.