Richard Keys claims Jurgen Klopp ‘KILLED’ Liverpool with ‘ill-judged’ announcement of his mid-season departure, as Reds’ campaign unfolds ahead of summer exit
- Richard Keys claimed news of Jurgen Klopp’s departure hurt Liverpool’s season
- The Reds were recently kicked out of Europe and have lost ground in the title race
- Chelsea are a “CESSPIT of excessive egos”… Will Pochettino transform bickering young people into a harmonious team? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Richard Keys has insisted Jurgen Klopp’s decision to announce his departure from Liverpool mid-campaign served as the impetus for the club’s implosion.
Klopp shocked the football world in January when he announced this season would be his last at the club, stressing he was “running out of energy”.
The news came after the club endured an often frustrating campaign last season, with numerous injuries combined with often poor form, with the Reds ultimately finishing fifth, 22 points behind Man City.
After strong recruitment over the summer, the Reds have emerged from the traps this season, losing just one of their opening 20 league matches and going top of the table on New Year’s Day.
However, in recent weeks the club’s form has deteriorated significantly, resulting in exits from the FA Cup and Europa League, and them being edged out by Man City in the title race.
Richard Keys has claimed Jurgen Klopp’s decision to announce his upcoming departure midway through the season has damaged Liverpool’s form.
In January, Klopp announced he would leave Liverpool this summer after nine years on Merseyside.
Keys insisted timing of 56’s announcement ‘killed’ his team’s campaign
According to former broadcaster Sky Sports, Liverpool’s recent struggles are directly linked to the timing of Klopp’s announcement.
“It’s a shame our clubs did so poorly last week, but congratulations to @AVFCOfficial. Let’s hope they continue and win now,” Keys wrote on X.
“Emery did a fantastic job. Unfortunately, it seems Klopp’s ill-advised announcement killed Liverpool instead of lifting them up.
After Klopp made his surprise announcement on January 26, Liverpool hosted Chelsea at Anfield and won comfortably 4-1 to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games.
However, in their next league clash, the Reds suffered a 3-1 defeat to compatriots Arsenal, but they recovered to collect 19 points from a possible 21 from their next seven games.
In recent weeks, the Reds have been knocked out of the FA Cup and Europa League and are now three points behind Man City in the title race.
Defeat against Crystal Palace last weekend saw Klopp’s side fall two points behind Man City as he bids to conclude his stay on Merseyside with a second Premier League title.
Liverpool will look to regain momentum in the title race when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
