Monaghan boy who met Klopp devastated at departure

A young Liverpool fan from County Monaghan who met Jurgen Klopp in December has said the German's departure as Reds boss will take a long time to get over.

On Friday, Klopp announced he will leave Anfield in the summer after nine years in charge.

In his announcement he referenced Dáire Gorman - "our friend", he said - who visited Klopp and the team by invitation.

Dáire told BBC News NI there was an instant "perfect connection" with the Liverpool manager when they met and he will miss him.

He says he understands and respects Klopp's decision, but he was devastated to hear the news.

"I’ll always support Liverpool no matter their manager but it will take a long time to get over Jurgen Klopp leaving," he said.

"He’s made Liverpool feel like a family to me and to everybody who supports the team."

In a video announcing his upcoming departure, Klopp said he was leaving his post because he is "running out of energy".

He acknowledged that for many young fans he will be the only Liverpool manager they have known.

“They never experienced a different manager since they are born," he told LFCTV.

"Only recently we met Dáire, our friend.

"I probably have to explain it to him as well, and I will it’s no problem."

Klopp added: “So I really will try to do all these things but in this moment, that’s it and from here we go.”

Klopp extended an invitation to Dáire to visit after a video of the 12-year-old singing Liverpool FC's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' anthem after attending a match in September went viral, garnering millions of views.

After seeing Dáire's video last year, Klopp sent him a message to say: "The players and I absolutely love your passion for the club so we want to do something for you to say thank you.

"We are going to invite you and your family to Liverpool to meet the players and watch us train."

The club posted a video, external of his trip on Christmas Day.

Dáire's mum Shelley says he got very emotional when he heard Jurgen Klopp mention him in his announcement on Friday.

"He couldn’t believe it. He just froze. He couldn’t believe that he actually remembered him and made reference to him," she said.

Dáire told BBC News NI he had a special message for the soon-to-be former manager.

"On the day we met, he told me this so I want to tell it to him," said Dáire.

"You'll never walk alone, Jurgen Klopp."