Former Liverpool midfielder believes Jurgen Klopp exit could spark player exodus

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer has suggested that Jurgen Klopp leaving Anfield could see a number of the Reds' key players follow him out the exit door.

The 56-year-old manager shocked the world by announcing last Friday that he will leave Liverpool come the end of the season, news that rocked the club's fanbase.

There are fears over the uncertain future that lies ahead when Klopp departs, despite the fact that the German has set the Reds up for success after he leaves Anfield.

Jason McAteer also worries about the club's future, suggesting that three of the Reds' most important players could follow Klopp out of Liverpool.

Speaking on beIN Sports, McAteer stated: "Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, they had to entice players to come. We lost Jude Bellingham because of that scenario. [Virgil] Van Dijk signed for us when everyone else wanted him, puts it down to Klopp.

"The other thing when we talk about recruitment is players staying at the club. We know Mo Salah’s on the brink of possibly leaving at the end of the season. We don’t know how that’s going to play out.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk, their contracts are up in 18 months. I said yesterday if Jurgen Klopp’s there, they don’t leave. They sign new deals, they continue the journey and the fairytale.

"With a new manager, results might go the other way. We might have two managers [after Klopp] when the contract negotiations start. The team might be in decline or they might want a different challenge, so they will leave. All that is uncertainty."

Liverpool will be eager to tie Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold down to new deals given all their contracts expire in the summer of 2025, but Klopp's exit does raise question marks over whether they will be keen to renew their stays.

While Alexander-Arnold's exit seems extremely unlikely given his connection to the club, Salah and Van Dijk are both over 30, and could potentially be keen on a change of scenery towards the latter stages of their career.

Salah, in particular, has been regularly touted with a move away from the club, with teams in the Saudi Pro League desperate to sign him.

However, should Liverpool make a strong managerial appointment when Klopp leaves, the likes of Salah and Van Dijk may be eager to stick around on Merseyside.