"For me he's a top professional, one of the best I have ever met," said the forward.
"Most importantly for me, Sami is also a good human being and has a good personality. I will miss him but I'm sure he will be in touch with us and Liverpool.
"It's a great achievement to play 10 years at a special club like Liverpool, especially for a foreign player, and I have a lot of respect for him.
"It's a shame he is leaving the club but things happen like this in football."