'His legacy is massive' - Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino sends glowing tribute to departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Klopp announced on Friday that he will leave the Anfield club after the end of the season. Chelsea boss Pochettino was asked for his immediate reaction to the news and the Argentine spoke of his German counterpart in glowing terms.

He told reporters: "I was in shock. Today, I was working and received the news. It is really sad. We already missed him. When I was sacked from Tottenham, the first message I received was from him. The job he has done with Liverpool is amazing. He wishes to rest and go away for a little bit. I think he deserves but it is sad for people who love football. He is a great character and Liverpool and English football will miss him. When he arrived, his first game was against us at White Hart Lane. We drew 0-0. His legacy is massive. I congratulate him and his coaching staff. He deserves the praise he will receive from now until the end of the season."

Klopp joined the Merseyside club in 2015 and has guided them to a Premier League title, an FA Cup win and success in the Champions League and Club World Cup. The 56-year-old steered Liverpool to two other Champions League finals and a Europa League final.

Klopp will hope to guide his team to success before he bows out this year. His team are in action in the FA Cup on Sunday before they meet Pochettino's Chelsea on January 31. Liverpool are still in line to win a sensational quadruple this term.