'Don't' - Jurgen Klopp's Chelsea and Arsenal admission after announcing he is leaving Liverpool

Liverpool have been rocked today by the blockbuster news that long-serving manager Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season. The German will bring an end to his successful nine-year stay on Merseyside which has seen him lead the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory.

The announcement comes just days ahead of a crunch series of fixtures for Liverpool, who this week booked a place at Wembley Stadium for the Carabao Cup final by beating Fulham. Klopp's side are back in cup action this weekend against Norwich City at Anfield before two huge Premier League meetings with London outfits Chelsea and Arsenal next week.

Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League table after an impressive start to the season and bounceback from last year's underwhelming fifth-place finish. The club are five points ahead of Champions Manchester City in second place, although Pep Guardiola's side do have a game in hand.

Klopp announcement comes at crunch time for Liverpool

Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Wednesday, January 31 and while Mauricio Pochettino's side are a way off challenging for the title this season, are buoyed by a 6-1 drubbing of Middlesbrough midweek and recent victories against Fulham, Luton Town and Crystal Palace. After that test, Klopp will take his side to the Emirates Stadium to take on rivals Arsenal.

In a video shared today, Klopp said: "I will leave the club at the end of the season. I can understand that it's a shock for a lot of people when you hear it first time but obviously, I can try and explain it. I love absolutely everything about this club, this city, our supporters, our team, the staff, everything.

"I am convinced this decision is the one I have to take. I am running out of energy. I'm absolutely fine now but I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again. After all the years we had together and all the time we spent together and the things we went through together, the respect grew and the love grew for you and the thing I owe you is the truth."

Klopp also urged supporters to not get caught up in the emotion of his announcement and to focus on the task at hand for Liverpool. As well as challenging for the Premier League title, the side could win the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League before the boss leaves this summer.

'Don't sing my song' - Klopp to Liverpool fans ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal

He added: "My message to supporters, I would really like you to accept the decision, that would be nice. Then, if I can ask for one more thing after telling you - don't sing my song too early! Don't make these games about me, there is no need.

"The only thing I always wanted was full support for the team. It's not for me. I know about our relationship, I don't need any kind of proof. We will have a moment maybe on the last matchday, that's enough time to do these kind of things.

"Let's know really go for it. The outside world wants to use this decision, laugh about it, disturb us. We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together, you went through harder things before me. Let's make strength of it, squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future."