Mass exodus at Liverpool! Jurgen Klopp's bombshell announcement triggers multiple staff exits as FOUR others also quit - including assistant Pep Lijnders & sporting director Jorg Schmadtke

The Reds are looking forward to a total backroom revamp this calendar year as it was confirmed Schmadtke will exit the Anfield offices after the January transfer window. Hired on a short-term contract in June 2023, Schmadtke took charge after the departure of Julian Ward, who had replaced Michael Edwards a year before.

Schmadtke was a crucial figure in Liverpool's midfield restructuring plans which saw an influx of several players like Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister. The Reds have made a seamless transition with these new signings after replacing veterans Fabinho, James Milner and Jordan Henderson, alongside other stars Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

In a press release, Schmadtke was quoted saying: "Liverpool is a very special club so to have had the opportunity to work here has been a huge honour for me, even though I knew from the outset that it would only be for a short period. I would like to thank everyone – the owners, manager, staff, players and fans — for the support I have been given and offer my best wishes for the rest of this season.”

Mike Gordon, president of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, said: “We would like to place on record our gratitude to Jorg for the important role he has played since joining Liverpool last summer. He has made a valuable contribution, both in terms of the support he provided to Jurgen Klopp and the assistance and guidance given to our outstanding football operations department. As well as departing with our appreciation for his efforts, we would also like to take this opportunity to offer Jorg and his family our very best wishes for the future.”

Apart from Schmadtke, Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz - who were assistants to Klopp - along with elite development coach Vitor Matos, will also leave the Merseyside club in the summer.

Lijnders was widely touted to be the potential successor to Klopp, meaning the Dutch tactician may now venture into an individual management journey after honing his skills under one of the elite managers in the world for many years.

Schmadtke had held similar roles at Wolfsburg, Cologne, Hannover and Alemannia Aachen before he was brought in by Liverpool. His departure indicates that the club is preparing to move in a new direction after Klopp revealed that he would step down from his position at the end of the current campaign.