Jurgen Klopp: Fans 'gobsmacked' at news Jurgen Klopp will leave LFC

Terry Geraghty said Klopp was "up there with Shankly"

People in Liverpool have been reacting to the shock news that Liverpool Football Club manager Jurgen Klopp will step down at the end of the season.

The 56-year-old German said he was "running out of energy" in an announcement on the club's website.

Liverpool fans said they were "gobsmacked" at the news which some said "feels like a death".

One fan said he had made the club great again and was "up there with Shankly and Paisley".

Fans said Jurgen Klopp brought "a different energy" to the club

Terry Geraghty, from Halewood, who had tears running down his face, described how Klopp was "up there with Shankly".

"I suppose it was inevitable that he would leave here at some time," he said.

"He's meant everything to the club. He came in at a time when we were not so good and he's made us great again.

"I've lived through Shankly, Paisley and he's as close to them as anybody that we've ever had."

Mr Geraghty said Klopp "led from the heart".

He added: "He's brought the likes of Trent [Alexander Arnold] and those other young lads who being coming through and it's just been like a conveyor belt.

"He's nurtured them and brought them through to the team. It says a lot for the city."

Joanne Roche said Klopp was the 'driving force' of the club

Joanne Roche, from North Wales, said he was the "driving force" of the club.

"I'm in shock, it's terrible," she said.

"You can understand maybe he's just exhausted and hopefully we can win everything this year in his final year but I just don't know who would come next.

"I think it's terrible that he's going but if that's right for him he's got to do that hasn't he?

"He's what drives everything. Over the last few years he's made Liverpool so popular again to everybody.

"It's going to be really sad. I think it's going to be someone very different to him, his style of management and the support he shows the team."

Another supporter, who did not want to be named, said Klopp "means everything to LFC".

"He's built the team back up again to a title-fighting side, fighting for the title and for other cups and it's just a shock.

"Yes he's tired yes he's worn out, but everything he's fought for he's now achieving and he's going."

Fan Chris Currie feels that Liverpool will now win the Premier League this season

Chris Currie, who is originally from Kirkby on Merseyside, but now lives in Exeter, said: "I was crying earlier, I was a bit sad so I have come to the shop here and bought some memorabilia.

"He's been the absolute best to be fair. All my mates are Man United fans and they are really happy today.

"I like the fact that he's brought some quite obscure players across to Liverpool, people like [Dominik] Szoboslai. Players where you think, 'where have you unearthed him from'?

"I am sure we'll win the Premier League."

'Like a death'

Other fans speaking outside the club shop in the city's Williamson Square described how they were "gobsmacked" at the news.

One said: "He's been a game changer. As a supporter for the club it's just changed everything.

"It's horrible, it's like a death really. I feel like he's died, it's a weird one."

Klopp has a special place in the heart of LFC fans in the city. In 2022 he vowed to defend Liverpool "forever" as he received the freedom of the city honour.

Natalie Little, manager of Jurgen's bar in Liverpool city centre, said she was "upset" at the news but it was "understandable".

"He's done a lot for Liverpool he's changed a lot for the pool and LFC fans," she said.

"There's something about him. He's just got this different approach and this different energy and it made a huge difference for us.

"I think if you are a true Red you won't go against him and he will be angry with him for his decision."

She said: "We really needed him when he came along and he's done a lot for LFC.

"I can't imagine anyone else who will be able to replace him. He's always going to be part of Liverpool no matter what. You can never fall out of love with him."

Klopp was appointed in October 2015 and his contract was due to run until 2026.

He won the Champions League in 2019 before leading Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2019-20.

The 56-year-old German has also said he would "never, ever" manage a different club in England other than Liverpool.