Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years at the helm, with the Reds already having a warning of what their future may look like in Manchester United’s struggles

Liverpool have been warned they are facing a decline similar to the one endured by Manchester United once Jurgen Klopp departs this summer.

Klopp will leave his role at Anfield at the end of the season, having spent nine years in charge of the Reds. During that time he has transformed them into one of the best teams in English football.

Under his management, they have won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, with another treble of trophies on the cards this season.

Liverpool have been warned they are facing a major downturn once Jurgen Klopp leaves (Image: Getty Images)

It is a period of success similar to Sir Alex Ferguson’s period of dominance at United.

Ferguson retired in 2013, with the Red Devils having failed to win the title since his exit. They have had five managers in that period and the latest, Erik ten Hag, appears no closer to returning them to the top of the table.

That is a scenario that John Arne Riise is worried could also befall his former team after Klopp goes. The Norwegian, who won the Champions League with Liverpool, has warned that some of the team’s top stars may follow Klopp out the door.

“There is always a risk of a Fergie-style decline once Klopp leaves. That’s always a danger. When a manager leaves, will all the players stay? Who is coming in?” Riise told BoyleSports.

“Having that connection means a lot to players, and will they stay when he leaves? Will they have the same belief when a new manager comes in? It doesn’t always have to be the manager’s fault.

“If the players just don’t have the same feeling towards them. That’s why the next manager is a huge step for the club. So it’s not only who gets appointed, it’s who is going to stay? Who will tell their agent they want to leave now Klopp has left?”

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John Arne Riise has raised his concerns for his former club (
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The frontrunner to replace Klopp had been Xabi Alonso, though the Spaniard ruled himself out of the running last month. With Alonso obviously not replacing Klopp, Riise has tipped Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi to fill the Liverpool hot seat instead.

“Liverpool’s next manager depends on where the club wants to go. I love what De Zerbi has done at Brighton. He would be a good fit because he’s so focused on being who he is,” Riise added.

“He doesn’t change, he goes his own way. I would love to see him at Liverpool. It depends on what direction they want to go and also Klopp’s admiration for De Zerbi is a factor.

“Klopp, one way or another, will be giving the club some insight into how they should move forward and who they should look at and I believe De Zerbi is one of the top contenders and I’d be delighted to have him.”