Jurgen Klopp reveals reaction of Liverpool players after announcing exit

Jurgen Klopp has revealed how the Liverpool players reacted to his announcement that he will leave his position as Reds manager at the end of the season.

The 56-year-old announced that he will step down as Liverpool manager on Friday morning after just under nine years at the club and take a break from both club and international football for at least a year.

The news came as a surprise to all given that Klopp had signed a contract extension taking his stay at Anfield until 2026 and it now leaves Liverpool with an uncertain future.

The Reds are still in the hunt for four trophies this season and have already made it to the Carabao Cup final next month, with fears that Klopp's announcement will serve as a distraction to players on the field.

However, speaking in a press conference, Klopp rebuffed such suggestions, while also revealing how the players reacted to him telling them about his decision.

"They didn't have many questions, they have a really strong bond. We are professionals," said Klopp. "The agreement you have with the team on both sides is one year, after that anything can happen.

"For a year you have a real agreement, we are in that and the boys see it exactly like that. In training you can see the boys in a really good mood.

"It's not that they partied when I told them, it was just an announcement. It's different to other situations, usually a sacked manager just says goodbye. That wouldn't happen here because of our achievements with each other. A lot of managers would have been sacked last year. When it's not right anymore I have to tell them.

"The distraction comes from outside, but we will not let it happen. If we want we can throw in more because of this and that's 100 per cent the situation. The fact I said I won't be manager next year is not an excuse to do less, we will fight for everything and that's good news.

"I know I can't do the job in the future but I can do it very well right now and that's what I will do."

Klopp only informed the players of the announcement earlier on Friday morning, but admitted to having communicated his decision to the club's hierarchy in November 2023.

There have been suggestions that the decision to formally announce Klopp's departure could galvanise the players heading into the rest of the season.

Klopp refused to be drawn into comments on a specific successor but Xabi Alonso is the manager being tipped for an Anfield return.