Richard Keys claims Jurgen Klopp has ‘KILLED’ Liverpool with ‘ill-judged’ mid-season announcement about leaving, as Reds’ campaign unravels ahead of his summer exit

Richard Keys insisted Jurgen Klopp‘s decision to announce his departure as Liverpool during the middle of the campaign boss served as the impetus for the club’s implosion.

Klopp shocked the football world in January when he announced that this season would be his last at the club as he noted that he has ‘ran out of energy’.

The news came after the club endured a frequently frustrating campaign last season, with a slew of injuries combined with frequently poor form seeing the Reds ultimately finish fifth, 22 points behind Man City.

After strong recruitment over the summer, the Reds flew out of the traps this season, losing just one of their first 20 fixtures in the league and topping the table on New Year’s Day.

However, in recent weeks the club’s form has faltered significantly, resulting in exits from the FA Cup and Europa League, and seeing them leapfrogged by Man City in the title race.

In January Klopp announced he would leave Liverpool in the summer after nine years on Merseyside

Keys insisted the timing of the 56-year-old announcement has ‘killed’ his team’s campaign

According to the former Sky Sports broadcaster, Liverpool’s recent struggles are directly correlated with the timing of Klopp’s announcement.

‘It’s such a shame that our clubs have done so badly this past week but congrats to @AVFCOfficial Let’s hope they go on & win it now,’ Keys wrote on X.

‘Emery has done a fantastic job. Sadly it’s beginning to look as though Klopp’s ill judged announcement has killed Liverpool not lifted them.’

After Klopp made his surprise announcement on January 26, Liverpool hosted Chelsea at Anfield and comfortably ran out 4-1 winners to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games.

However, in their following league clash the Reds suffered a 3-1 defeat to fellow title challengers Arsenal, but they recovered to pick up 19 from a possible 21 points in their next seven games.

In recent weeks the Reds have been eliminated from the FA Cup and Europa League, and now sit three points behind Man City in the title race

Defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend has seen Klopp’s side fall two points behind Man City as he attempts to conclude his time on Merseyside with a second Premier League title.

Liverpool will look to regain their momentum in the title race when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.