Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed he 'knows something' that fans don't about Jurgen Klopp's exit from Anfield.
Klopp made the bombshell announcement last Friday that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current season.
His departure will end an iconic eight-and-a-half year spell at the club, which has seen him win every English domestic trophy that the Reds enter, as well as the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.
Klopp could still win up to four more trophies before departing Anfield, with Liverpool top of the Premier League heading into the upcoming midweek fixture schedule and still competing in the Europa League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
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Speaking to Liverpool's official website, the German revealed the reason why he is leaving the club: "It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy.
"I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now.
"I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again.
"When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, 'I am not sure I am here then anymore', and I was surprised myself by that."
Klopp is Liverpool's sixth permanent manager of this century, with Gerard Houllier, Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers in charge before him.
It was Benitez that delivered the Reds' most recent Champions League title in 2005 before their 2019 success under Klopp, with the Spaniard spending a further five seasons at the club before his departure in the summer of 2010.
The former Valencia and Real Madrid boss, who is currently in charge of Celta Vigo, still has some connections at Anfield as a result.
And he has revealed that he knows 'something else' about Klopp's exit.
When asked about the news ahead of his side's upcoming La Liga clash against Girona, Benitez responded (quotes via Daily Mirror): "I have an advantage, which is that I have people in Liverpool and also people at the club so, more or less, I know how it has happened.
"I only have positive words about Klopp, because he is my friend and I have a good relationship with him.
"He has done and is doing an enormous job. Everything I can say about Klopp and Liverpool is positive. I know something else from inside, and it has more merit than being there.
"He goes and speaks up [about his departure], giving the club time to reorganise, which, from another perspective, is also very German, because they do notify in advance, so it is not a shock.
"Let's hope Liverpool will do well for now and when another coach comes too. I hope the best for the club."
Topics: Rafael Benitez, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Premier League
Ryan Smart