'A cruel joke!' - Jamie Carragher admits he thought Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool exit announcement was a 'hoax'

With the German set to depart the club after nine years at the helm, his announcement came as a surprise to not only fans but also to the former Liverpool defender. Carragher admitted that at first, he believed that the news was fake as he couldn't comprehend the club legend's departure.

In his article with The Telegraph, Carragher said: "After seeing the news he is leaving at the end of the season, my heart sank. I genuinely thought it was some kind of hoax, or cruel joke.

"The immediate reference point was the resignation of Kenny Dalglish in 1991, when Liverpool were top of the league and preparing for an FA Cup replay with Everton. I was an Everton fan then, delighted Kenny was going."

Klopp has been hailed as one of the best Premier League managers, and the Reds will have a difficult time replacing him at the club. During his nine years with the club, Klopp won six major trophies, including the Champions League in 2019 and the club's first Premier League title since 1990.

Liverpool will be in action next when they take on Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday, January 28. With the club still active in all four competitions that they will compete in this season, they will be eager to end Klopp's Liverpool run on a high.