Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Lucas Leiva's desperate to Lazio left him welling up.

The Brazilian joined Lazio on Monday to end a decade of service at Anfield, and the 30-year-old delivered an emotional open letter to the club's fans after his exit.

"Things change but Lucas is a special case," said Klopp. "He asked for [to leave]. I would say he's a friend. He's a fantastic person.

"How I know and how he knows, he has a few issues when he's not playing! But we always had a very respectful understanding.

"It was really good. When he left, we both had a little tear in our eye. It was really a special moment.

"For the team, it's difficult. It's the age and it's life. He could sign a long-term contract in Rome and how can I say: 'You stay here, but I don't know if you sign a new contract and I don't know how often you will play next year'.

"So you need to be honest, especially with a player like him.

"He loves Liverpool. It's unbelievable. He comes from Brazil - it's a nice country and the weather is much better.

"He could imagine staying in Liverpool for the rest of his life."