Jurgen Klopp's plea to Liverpool fans to 'accept the decision' in heartfelt message

Jurgen Klopp is asking fans to "accept" his decision to step down as Liverpool manager, in a heartfelt message to supporters.

The German announced today that he would be leaving the Reds at the end of the season, to the shock and sadness of many. He said that he is "running out of energy" after nine years at the club, which saw them reborn as English and European dominators.

Now, Klopp has called upon fans not to make the season's remaining games about him and to "accept" the decision he has made. The Liverpool legend, who has achieved Shankly-style status, tells supporters: "I really would like you to accept the decision. That would be nice.

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"And then if I can ask for one more thing, after telling you don’t sing my song too early, after telling you be loud in the stadium, stuff like this, if I could ask you for one more thing it would be; don’t make these games about me, because there’s no need.

"The only thing I always wanted was the 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 the last matchday here or somewhere else – I mean in other countries or other competitions. There’s enough time to do these kinds of things. Let’s now really go for it.

"The outside world want to use this decision, laugh about it, want to disturb us. We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together. And you went through harder things before me. Let’s make a strength of it. That would be really cool. Let’s squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future.