- Trent Alexander-Arnold says Reds players didn’t see Klopp decision coming
- Liverpool face Brighton on Sunday at 2pm in first of final six league home games
- Why Roberto De Zerbi should be in the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has confessed the Liverpool dressing room was ‘shook up’ after Jurgen Klopp told them he would be leaving the club at the end of the season in January.
Klopp’s decision came as a huge shock to English football after nine years at Anfield, claiming he needed a break from the game.
Alexander-Arnold has missed Liverpool’s last nine games due to a knee injury and uncovered some more thoughts from the Reds camp about Klopp’s decision to Sky Sports ahead of their home clash against Brighton.
‘[It was] just a complete surprise to all of us as players,’ said Alexander-Arnold.
‘It was one that kind of shook up the dressing room for a couple of hours. But he told us we’re professionals, don’t let it get to us.’
Trent Alexander-Arnold said Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool was a ‘complete surprise’ on Sky Sports
Klopp will be in charge for only six more league games at Anfield before he leaves
The Reds face Brighton at Anfield at 2pm on Sunday as they look to go top of the league
It has been two months since Klopp dropped the bombshell that his time at Anfield would come to an end after the club’s final game in May.
The announcement shocked everybody in football, no more than the Liverpool players.
Pundits and fans alike have questioned whether Klopp’s decision to leave could impact the Reds push for the Premier League title, but Alexander-Arnold has insisted that is not the case.
He added: ‘It’s [given us] more motivation. It’s another another motivating factor. I think can we use it to our advantage.’
‘We want to help him go out with with a big parade, we want a big send off for him.’
Alexander-Arnold was giving insight on players alike on Sky Sport’s panel, as kick-off approached on Merseyside.
Continuing on the subject of Klopp’s decision he said: ‘You expect just the good times to keep coming. When he tells us the news and and his decision, you got to respect that obviously, it was one that no player wanted to hear.
‘There’ll be a lot of noise around of course, but we’ve got to go and do our job, we’ve got to go and try to win games and try and give them the best possible finish.’
Liverpool currently sit second in the Premier League table prior to their match with Brighton, level on points with leaders Arsenal.
Klopp’s men can go top of the table with a win over Roberto De Zerbi’s side, a feat they have not managed since the Italian took over at Brighton, before their two title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal go to battle at the Etihad at 4.30pm.