The former Liverpool player has called Jurgen Klopp a “father figure” and revealed he cried when Klopp announced he would be leaving Anfield.
Klopp rocked the football world last Friday when he announced he would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. He said he lacked energy.
The 56-year-old specialist was appointed in October 2015 and his contract runs until 2026. In his nine years at Liverpool, Klopp won almost every trophy, including the Champions League title in 2019 and United’s first league title in 30 years the following season.
Having been such an influential figure on Merseyside, his departure came as a shock to Liverpool fans and players alike. Even Naby Keita, who left the Reds last summer after five disappointing years at Anfield, admitted he was surprised by the news of Klopp’s departure.
Keita, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig for £48m in 2018, told RMC News: “He brought me to Liverpool as his son and I consider him my father. I wish him all the best for the rest of his life.
“I will try to write a letter to that person later. Life is like that. I met him and was not disappointed. “We have the product. “Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was one of the first Liverpool players to speak out about the shock announcement, admitting it would be difficult for the Dutch manager to accept a move.
“It’s hard to accept because the manager is very important for us, for me, for the club and for the Premier League as a whole, ” Van Dijk told Liverpool.com. “But he made a decision for himself and his family.
It was always going to be difficult and it certainly was. “I think it’s going to be a collective feeling, but like I said, I’ve never felt anything I haven’t had before.
I think [Klopp’s decision] should give you an extra boost. It is a special feeling that allows us to make the most of it. “Like I said earlier, I think the desire to make up for last year has been there since the preseason. We have to stay that way.
“As a fan and supporter of a football club, he feels the same way. You want to be there, you want to be there for the team and you want to be there for the manager. “Let’s make the rest of the season special so he can get the promotion he deserves.”
