Liverpool’s shocked players were only told of Jurgen Klopp’s departure hours before it was made public.

The German coach stunned the world on Friday morning when, with more than two years remaining on his contract, he confirmed he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The club announced the news on their website alongside a video message from Klopp himself.

His players were allowed some extra time to digest the shocking news, but only by a matter of hours, reports the Telegraph. Klopp signalled his intent to leave Anfield back in November but that news has been kept up wraps until the official announcement came, with the players unaware until this morning.

The German has forged some immensely close relationships with his players, almost all of whom were signed by him. The likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have been key pillars of their success in recent times and, like the rest of the world, were stunned by the news.

It is likely to cast doubt over the futures of key players, several of whom are over 30 and in the latter phase of their careers, while others were linked with exits back in the summer. Liverpool remain in the hunt for four trophies this season but there is an acceptance that the squad still needs some investment.

Klopp has been in charge since he replaced Brendan Rodgers back in October 2015 but concedes that he no longer has the energy to continue in the role. He confessed: “I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.

“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”

Several of the squad enjoyed Champions League success under Klopp back in 2019 and then backed it up 12 months later by landing the Premier League title for the first time – ending the club’s 30-year drought for a top flight success. They’ve also added numerous domestic cups in that time.

Despite the announcement, Klopp is confident he and his players can remain focused on this season with plenty of silverware on offer. He added: “There are so many things to play for and there might be some ideas from the outside to disturb what we are doing, but it is all about us.” (The Mirror, UK)

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