Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool are a stable club and fans have nothing to worry about after he departs in the summer, hitting back at suggestions the Reds could face a tricky period off the pitch.
Much has been said about Klopp’s pending exit in the days after the bombshell news was announced on Friday, with pundits and fans suggesting turbulent times could be ahead for the Premier League leaders.
Klopp will be followed out the door by assistants Pep Lijnders, Vitor Matos and Peter Krawietz, while sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will also depart Liverpool after this current transfer window – leaving the club with a lot of job vacancies to fill before the summer.
Asked if the squad could break up too quickly after Virgil van Dijk refused to commit to the club, the manager said: ‘No, I don’t think so. It is completely normal.
Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool fans not to worry about the potential for players to leave
Virgil van Dijk is unwilling to commit his future to the Reds until he has clarity over the club’s long-term vision once Klopp departs at the end of the season, but the German is not worried
‘It was always clear the outside world would not give you a second to process it (the news that Klopp is leaving).
‘A week ago when no one knew about my decision, nobody asked (about contracts) Give the boys a break!
‘We need to create a perspective about what’s happening next, that’s normal.
‘Nobody has to worry. I knew that this would happen. You (the media) can’t wait for these kinds of questions. Virg didn’t go out and say, “By the way, I wanna say…”.
‘Write what you want, this club is stable. 100 per cent. Everything will be fine, I am 100 per cent sure. The rest, we have to get through this, we have to get through your questions and give some answers. For our people, I would recommend… stay calm.
‘Very often the fans’ concerns are not as big as the media might think.
Supporters are wary of what the future holds once Klopp departs at the end of the season
‘You underestimate the IQ of our supporters. It’s completely normal. There’s nothing to worry about at this moment in time. All these (contract talks) could be possible in all seasons.’
The German added: ‘The only annoying part is you (the media). “Why do they do that, why don’t they do that?”. It’s all fine, don’t worry. The boys love this place. I know that for a fact. When what will happen, we will see.’
Liverpool face Chelsea on Wednesday night and will be boosted by the return of Alexis Mac Allister after he missed Sunday’s win over Norwich as a precaution. Fellow midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has not played since April, has finally returned to training.
Klopp added that Liverpool will not rush the recovery of Mohamed Salah, who got injured at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Meanwhile, Klopp has no plans to rush Mohamed Salah back following his injury at AFCON
‘There was no pressure in it besides the fact that you want to get fit as quick as possible anyway,’ said the boss.
‘We cannot rush it. If we could rush the healing process believe me Thiago would not have been out for 10 months. It is not possible. You just do what you can do and while you are doing that we have to wait until they are ready.
‘Mo is not ready for this game, not ready for the next game and then not. He is injured, I am not sure if there was a misunderstanding in the beginning: he is injured. A muscle injury takes time. It could have been much worse but he’s not available at the moment, he is just doing rehab.’
