Dortmund chief sent Liverpool warning over costly Klopp 'mistake' amid claims he could leave Anfield

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has already sent Liverpool a warning over losing Jurgen Klopp amid reports that the German manager could walk out of the club.

The Reds have had a nightmare of a season so far and currently find themselves 10th in the Premier League and 11 points off fourth placed Newcastle United.

A lot of blame has been attributed to the owners' lack of investment in the squad but the players that have performed so well over previous seasons just aren't at the same level this term.

It's unlikely that Klopp would be sacked due to the success he has brought in the past and the backing he has from the supporters.

Dortmund are a club that know what it's like to lose a manager of Klopp's calibre and their CEO has already sent a warning to the Reds over the costly 'mistake' the German club made.

Writing in his 2019 book 'REAL LOVE. A life with BVB' Watzke, as reported in the Liverpool Echo, said: "Jurgen said, 'You know it too: it’s better to leave now after seven years'.

“We did not try to change his mind anymore. But that was maybe a mistake. Perhaps it would have been better if we had exchanged the entire team – not the coach.

“Because I knew that, we would never get back such a coach. When I said goodbye, real tears came."

Klopp could "walk"

The comments from the Dortmund Chief have resurfaced following reports that Klopp could walk away from Liverpool because of their bad run of form.

Despite this, the German manager has repeatedly insisted that he can turn things around and get them back to winning ways.

Former legend Jamie Carragher echoed this and came out with a similar quote to Watzke on Sky Sports on Sunday.

As reported in Yahoo Sports, he said: "I would change everybody else at that football club before I changed Jurgen Klopp.

"When he came in, Liverpool were sixth or seventh in the league and he's taken them to where they've been in the last few years, he's proven he can do that. I'd like to see him do that again. I'm sure he will."

If the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League next season then they will find it difficult to not only keep hold of their top players but to attract top additions.

They have a lot of work to do but if anyone is capable of pulling off the unexpected it's Klopp.

Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Anfield, Borussia Dortmund, Premier League

Will Evans

Sports journalist with experience writing for local and national titles.

@WillEvo20