'Never be forgotten' - LeBron James sends Jurgen Klopp message as shock Liverpool exit announced

NBA superstar and Liverpool shareholder LeBron James has expressed his gratitude to Jurgen Klopp after the Reds boss announced he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

The 56-year-old German made the shock announcement on Friday morning that his nine-year stay in the Anfield hot seat would be no more at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, insisting his "resources are not "endless" and that he wanted to live a "normal life".

In his eight seasons at Anfield, Klopp, who succeeded Brendan Rodgers in October 2015, has led Liverpool to Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup glory.

Taking to social media on Friday after Klopp's announcement, James, who owns a minority stake in the Anfield club, wrote: "THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND MORE!! You are one helluva manager and you’ll never be forgotten and more importantly YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE!! The Reds will miss you!!"

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As it stands, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is the favourite to succeed Klopp this summer. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday however, the 42-year-old Spaniard insisted he's enjoying his time at the top of the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.

"At the moment, I am really happy here," replied Alonso when asked about his future at the Bayarena. "I enjoy my work here and feel that it’s given me a challenge. We are on an intense but beautiful journey here in Leverkusen and I’m trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing."

Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto de Zerbi has also been linked with