Jurgen Klopp press conference LIVE: Liverpool manager addresses shock departure

Shocked Liverpool fans have paid tribute to Jurgen Klopp after admitting that they are “gutted” that the manager will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Klopp made the shock announcement on Friday morning (26 January) that his time at Anfield will come to an end at the conclusion of the campaign.

The German’s tenure has seen him build his side into regular title challengers, with Liverpool achieving a first Premier League triumph in 30 years in 2020, and winning every trophy available.

Liverpool’s last Premier League game of the season is on Sunday 19 May, at home to Wolves. This will be Klopp’s final game as Liverpool manager at Anfield.

There is the possibility that the Reds could end their campaign with two home games in a row. Their Carabao Cup final – against Chelsea on Sunday 25 February – means their home game against Luton Town still has to be rearranged.

The Reds are also involved in two other cup competitions: the Europa League and the FA Cup.

Should Klopp’s side go all the way in Europe, it could be the German’s final match in charge of Liverpool: the final will be on Wednesday 22 May in Dublin.

But if Liverpool reach the FA Cup final, that will be Klopp’s final game in charge of the club on Saturday 25 May 2024.

Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Liverpool has been defined by the capacity for the stunning, so perhaps it is fitting that he saved the greatest shock until the end: or the news of the end, anyway.

Klopp’s statement that he will leave at the end of the season became the most unexpected development of all: bigger than the four-goal turnaround against Barcelona or the succession of late winners or even Alisson’s injury-time header against West Bromwich Albion.

A sudden announcement came amid a second quest for a quadruple in three seasons: Klopp will go with proof his powers remain intact, with Liverpool’s resurgence this season an illustration that he was building a second fine team, potentially a second brilliant one.

He will leave with Liverpool wanting more: perhaps that would always have been the case.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi spoke about Jurgen Klopp describing him as one of the best managers in the world before adding that he can understand the reasons behind the Liverpool boss stepping aside at the end of the campaign.

"You need energy," he said. "You have to push every day.

“You have to keep behaviour to improve every day. You can’t stop your improvement and studying the game and new coaches, development.

"If you don’t work with the right energy you lose everything. I like him because his energy, character... are great. If he changes country or league it is not a good thing."

Liverpool will begin the search for a replacement manager immediately, but have issued a clear notice that work will be done behind the scenes with no public updates, to avoid distracting the team as they challenge for major honours this season.

Jurgen Klopp earlier announced he would be stepping down as head coach at the end of the current campaign, two years before his contract is due to expire.

Shortly afterwards, it was confirmed that Jorg Schmadtke would also be leaving his role as sporting director, having only been appointed on a short-term deal in June, leaving a big turnover of senior staff for the Reds this summer.

Liverpool fans have been left in shock after Jurgen Klopp made the surprise announcement that he plans to leave the club and has inevitably become a meme.

The manager, who has won just about everything with Liverpool since first joining as manager in 2015, confirmed the news in an official club announcement on Friday (January 26).

The news marks the end of an era, with Klopp having won the Premier League and Champions League during his time in charge.

Hogan on how they will celebrate Klopp: “I had a conversation with my son who said I thought he was going to manage forever.

“We’ll have the right time and opportunity to look back and his career and the ride we’ve been on is extraordinary, who he is as a person, his charisma, the team that’s been built here is a massive credit to him.

“We want to get through today and get back to playing and winning football matches.

“His impact has been enormous as a colleague as a fan it has been equally so I hope that continues. We have targets ahead of us and that’s the main focus.”

When did Klopp know he would be leaving?

“It was pretty much that time, I knew last season. You might have the opportunity to look at when I arrived at the club and a picture now and say nine years, really?

“Because I’m the leading part in the meetings, I couldn’t [do it], that was the first moment. We still planned it, when the new manager comes it’s fine, we planned pre-season because we had to.

“But that was the moment I started thinking, the football we played got better and better and the potential of the team was more and more obvious, that was the moment, that with a proper push and a really good manager on top of his game, that will be fun to watch and I will do that.”

Klopp on Liverpool, the city and the culture : “I had no clue what I could expect here. I just knew it was about the people.

“This is the best club in the world, it’s outstanding. Being an honourable Scouser, I didn’t know before, but that’s probably one of the best things I could have achieved in my life.

“The way these people deal with difficulties is a role model for me. I learned so much here. I’m not in a mood for recap now, we have so much ahead.”

Hogan on the departures of coaches Pep Ljinders and Vitor Matos: “From an overall perspective the decision that was taken at the time, Pep [Lijnders] and Vitor [Matos] will go. We will help their career going forward if we can.

“The team Jurgen has built is an extremely strong one.”

Klopp added about his coaching staff: “I will take the break but the other boys are ready.

“The impact they had over the years, especially Pep [Ljinders], is second to none. I know that I have to be thankful and grateful to him. He gave me so many new visions and helped me to develop.

“They will all go for it and I will support and follow from where I am. I’ll enjoy it a lot because there is a lot to expect from them.”