Former Liverpool midfielder reveals sadness at 'dad' Jurgen Klopp's Anfield exit

Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita admitted that he had "tears in his eyes" when he heard that Jurgen Klopp was set to leave the club at the end of the season.

Klopp shocked the world with his announcement last week that he is set to leave Liverpool at the end of 2023/24, thus bringing to an end his nine year association with the Anfield club.

The manager has cemented his legacy as a genuine Liverpool legend during his time on Merseyside, winning the FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League, as well as most importantly the club's first league title in 30 years.

Speaking about Klopp's decision to RMC Sport, ex-Liverpool midfielder Keita admitted that he became choked up when he heard the news.

“When I heard the news, I had tears in my eyes," admitted Keita. "I was like his son in Liverpool and I consider him my dad.”

Keita arrived from RB Leipzig in 2018 and featured 129 times for Liverpool during an injury-hit five-year stay at Anfield. Having made just eight Premier League appearances during the 2022/23 campaign, he left as a free agent in the summer, returning to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.

Current Liverpool players have also expressed their shock at the news that Klopp is set to leave, with defensive stalwart Andrew Robertson admitting it caught him cold.

"Like the rest of the world it was a bit of a shock when he told us all nobody really knew where to look or what to do but you have to respect his decision, he's thought long and hard about it, he's not a rash person he's obviously thought a lot about it with his family," Robertson said after the Reds' thumping FA Cup win over Norwich City on Sunday afternoon.

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