Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Alberto Moreno for turning his career around at Anfield.
Moreno, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, only made two Premier League starts in the whole of last season as James Milner became the club’s first-choice left-back.
The arrival of Andrew Robertson during the summer was expected to push Moreno further down the pecking order, and ultimately lead to a move away from the club.
However, the 25-year-old has reclaimed his position in the Liverpool XI this season – already making 16 appearances in all competitions.
Klopp has revealed that he had an open discussion with Moreno before the start of the 2017-18 campaign, and has hailed the Spaniard for answering the challenge.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website:
“Before the season, he came to my office and asked again, and I told him we (would) get another full-back, but it was not the plan for Milly (James Milner) to be in the full-back race again, so you decide what happens – and he decided it.
“How he reacted on last year is really, really good. He’s now a much better defender. That’s how it is; he’s a brilliant footballer.
“When you see him shooting here, you think he cannot shoot – he shoots like crazy. It’s unbelievable how good he is.”
Liverpool will attempt to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the Champions League when they face Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon on Tuesday night.
Adam Lallana has returned to the Liverpool squad for the clash in Seville.
