Now then this is worth a listen.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty says Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool legacy is up there with Bill Shankly, Kenny Dalglish and Bob Paisley after the German announces he will leave at the end of the season.

Since Jurgen Klopp's first game in charge of Liverpool in October 2015, Liverpool have won more points from losing positions than any other side across Europe's big-five leagues.

His big challenge now will be to ensure that his tenure ends in a flourish.

After Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement in 2001 (which he later reneged on - carrying on until 2013), his Manchester United team went on to finish third in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Manchester City ended up fourth after Manuel Pellegrini's departure was confirmed well ahead of the conclusion of the 2015-16 campaign.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp is not the only person leaving Anfield.

Liverpool have also confirmed Jorg Schmadtke’s tenure as sporting director will come to an end following the culmination of the January transfer window.

Here are a few more of your thoughts on Jurgen Klopp after the shock announcement that he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season:

Johnathan: Klopp has ushered in an era of exciting, fast-paced football, bringing the club back to its Shankly/Paisley-esque roots. He has brought hugely positive energy to the club, and has set us up for organic growth through focus on the academy. Undeniably a huge loss for the club and the league - and a borderline impossible task for his replacement.

Pete: Big shock to all fans! Great manager, up there with the best ever! Only two names spring to mind to replace, Xabi Alonso or be brave and go for Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town!

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel on X,, external formerly known as Twitter: "Liverpool has less than six months to find someone that firstly have to understand or adapt asap to the LFC way of playing/culture.. but also has to try live up to the Jurgen Klopp standards… not an easy task.

"Wait you guys are right… it’s actually easy….. Simply : Xabi Alonso."

When it comes to Premier League managerial records Jurgen Klopp is right up there with the very best as you would expect.

Probably have to thank our friends at Opta for this information.

We asked you for your thoughts on all things Jurgen Klopp after the shock announcement that he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.

Here are some of your views:

Tom: Gutted. We will never get another manager like Klopp. I can expect given how well he’s doing in Germany this season, Xabi Alonso will be heavily linked, but I don’t expect him to hit the ground running if he did return to Anfield. Uncertainty is uncomfortable!

George: Absolutely distraught. Looking back at the team we had when he came to where we are now is night and day. The players will give absolutely everything for Klopp in the second half of the season so the push for a quadruple is very very real now.

Russell: While I’m absolutely gutted that he’s leaving, I’m extremely grateful for everything he’s done for the club. I hope he gets the rest he needs and maybe we’ll see him as the Germany manager someday. He leaves the club in a better state than when he found it and the future is bright. Maybe a certain Leverkusen manager may be interested?

BBC Sounds

More from former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's been absolutely phenomenal. He was true to his word. You know, when he came in, he said, ‘I'll win you the title in the first four years’ [and everyone said] ‘Wait, hang on a minute. You’ve not one for 26 years. What you talking about?’. Everything he's done has been for the good of the club, he's been an absolute sensational personality.

On whether it will impact the club's running: "I hope not. I think what hopefully what it’ll do is galvanise the players. You know, I think it's two seasons ago they nearly did the quadruple. That's what they could do this season, they're still in 4 competitions...

"I hope the players, and I'm sure they will because let me tell you, watch the players before the game against Fulham walking onto the pitch and the camaraderie there is between this group has been exceptional. There's a togetherness about them, the belief about them and that comes from the top, that comes from the manager, he drives that."

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

We're still digesting the news that Jurgen Klopp will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, but thoughts are already moving towards who will replace him?

And let's be honest it sounds like Liverpool have had at least a couple of months to think about this, if not line up a successor.

Xabi Alonso is a top candidate after catching the eye with his exploits in the Bundesliga this season.

Alonso made 210 appearances for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League, FA Cup and Uefa Super Cup.

Since retiring in 2017, Alonso has been working his way through the coaching ranks.

After an initial spell with Real Madrid's youth team, he agreed to take charge of Real Sociedad's B team in Segunda Division B.

His first senior role began in October 2022 with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

Leverkusen currently sit top of the Bundesliga, four points clear of Bayern Munich.

When it comes to winning silverware as a Liverpool manager it's going to take something or someone special to better the achievements of Bob Paisley.

Paisley led the club to 14 major honours between 1974 and 1983.

Klopp has, so far, helped Liverpool to lift six major trophies and more could be on the way this season.

The German ranks fourth in the list for trophies won as Liverpool boss with both Bill Shankly and Kenny Dalglish winning six.

When it comes to win percentage, Klopp has the best record of any previous Anfield boss - 60.7% - compared to Dalglish 58.3% and Paisley 57.4%.

And only Paisley (307) has registered more wins as Liverpool manager than Klopp (283).

BBC Sounds

Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Yeah he was [going to leave], but I didn’t think I was going to hear it today to be honest. I was at the midweek game , I’ve got to tell you, he was fist pumping with the fans, he joined in with the fans.

"There was no sign whatsoever that he was going to make the decision that he’s made and obviously, it’s absolutely huge. What he’s done for this club and his time being in charge, nothing short of phenomenal.

"To get them back winning the league, getting them to major finals, getting that pride back in the football club, the joy of playing for Liverpool. It’s been absolutely incredible and the football they’ve played has been a joy to watch. It’s going to be one hell of a pair of shoes to fill."

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

While Liverpool twice came runners-up in the Premier League under Rafael Benitez and Brendan Rodgers, they lifted just one trophy in eight years before his arrival.

And while it took him over three years to turn the Reds back into winners, last term's fifth-placed finish was the first time under the German that Liverpool had finished outside the top four since 2015-16.

Here are the key stats from his time on Merseyside:

Games Played - 466

Games Won - 283

Games Drawn - 105

Games Lost - 78

Goals - 972

Goals Conceded - 469

Win% - 60.7%

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he is to depart Liverpool at the end of the season will leave the club’s supporters heartbroken and send shockwaves way beyond Anfield.

The charismatic German’s force of personality and successes have given him iconic status at Liverpool, the club he has transformed since his appointment in October 2015. Klopp can stand comfortably in the list of great Anfield managers.

The news came as a bolt from the blue, especially having signed a contract extension taking him through to 2026 as a sign of his commitment to Liverpool.

And it is even more stunning given how Klopp has rebuilt – or in his word “reloaded” – Liverpool so brilliantly this season that they are in the hunt for four trophies as Premier League leaders, in the EFL Cup Final against Chelsea, with a fifth round FA Cup tie at home to Norwich City at what is sure to be an emotional Anfield on Sunday, as well as being Europa League favourites.

Klopp’s will be the hardest of acts to follow, not simply because of his bond with Liverpool’s fans but also the ability which makes him one of football’s greatest coaches, having brought the Champions League back to Liverpool in 2019 and their first title in 30 years 12 months later.

In the meantime, however, the game is still coming to terms with the bombshell news that Klopp is on his way out of Liverpool.