Diogo Jota reveals 'shock' of Jurgen Klopp exit announcement

Diogo Jota has revealed that the Liverpool squad was left shocked by Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Liverpool have played just three times since Jurgen Klopp communicated his decision to depart Anfield this summer to the general public, with even more pressure now on the Reds to give the 56-year-old the dream send-off.

Klopp's men may have lost 3-1 to Arsenal on Sunday but they remain top of the table for the time being, while they're also still alive in the Europa League and FA Cup.

There's also the small matter of a Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at the end of the month, with Klopp desperate to finish his Anfield career with more silverware.

Given the success Liverpool have enjoyed this term, Klopp's decision took everyone off guard, including the club's players - who were only told of his departure hours before the official announcement.

Speaking about the boss' exit, Diogo Jota told DAZN Portugal (via Sport Witness): "It was a shock for everyone, that’s the reality. I don’t think anyone in the dressing room was expecting to hear news like that, especially since this season is going so well.

"But it’s not up to us to make that decision, just to accept it. It will be a problem later on, knowing who the coach will be next season and so on.

"We still have a lot to fight for this season. So we have to focus on what we have to do on the pitch and also, in a way, make his legacy more colourful with a few trophies.

"That’s what we want, just as we wanted before he announced his decision, because obviously we always want to win."

There's been plenty of speculation regarding who Liverpool's next manager will be, with fans desperate to know who will face the unenviable task of succeeding Klopp in the dugout.

The current front-runner is former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, the Spaniard currently top of the Bundesliga table and unbeaten this season with Bayer Leverkusen.

With a clause in his contract that reportedly allows him to leave Leverkusen for Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, the 42-year-old would likely be keen on a return to Merseyside, although the Reds will have to fend off competition for his signature.

Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann are among the other names that have been linked with the job.