Joe Cole calls Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool 'a stroke of genius' - 'He's re-energised'

TNT Sports expert Joe Cole has explained why Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down as Liverpool manager was "a stroke of genius".

Liverpool stormed into the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals after thrashing Sparta Prague 11-2 on aggregate.

Cody Gakpo scored twice as Liverpool won the second leg at Anfield 6-1, with Bobby Clark, Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai also on target.

Cole credited Liverpool’s "scintillating" performance to a jubilant Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

"From Liverpool's perspective, it was a carnival of football," Cole said. "They are in scintillating form. Anybody who pulls on that red shirt at the moment, goes and does the job just to the absolute top.

"There's the main man there, Jurgen Klopp. I think he's re-energised, reinvigorated, he's enjoying it."

Cole added: "He's up for the challenge in the last few weeks of his reign as Liverpool manager, and I think it was a stroke of genius announcing it in January.

"Because what's happened is what I expected to happen - the fans getting behind it, the excitement knowing he's not going to be there forever.

"Look at him. Look how much he's enjoying it. That's a routine European night, a Thursday night. This is a man who's won the Champions League and he just loves it.

"This Liverpool side is probably the most exciting side to watch, that’s for sure."

Klopp was also praised for his handling of Salah, who became the first Liverpool player to score 20+ goals in seven successive seasons, despite struggling with injury recently.

"Salah is just relentless," Cole said. "We have to remember he's still up there in the goalscoring for this season, having missed a lot of football, and having been away. He’s an outstanding player.

"I think Jurgen Klopp’s been very smart with him, because they’re going to have massive games from now to May. He’s sparingly dropping him in, dropping him in.

"I think Mo’s at the time of his career, where he's ready to accept that. He understands if he wants longevity at the very, very top. He wants to add more medals to his resume."

Liverpool are still in contention to earn four titles this season, having already won the League Cup in February.

Alongside their place in the Europa League quarter-finals, they are also in the last eight of the FA Cup and are currently second in the Premier League table.

Liverpool will find out who awaits in the Europa League in Friday's draw, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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