Sports
Klopp Advises Liverpool Players To Stay Calm About His Exit
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says people need “to stay calm” over concerns about the future of some of the club’s players.
Klopp announced last week that he is going to step down from his role at the end of the season.
Virgil van Dijk’s contract runs out in summer 2025 and he expressed doubts about whether he will be at the club following Klopp’s departure.
“The boys love this place. I know that for a fact,” said Klopp.
“It’s not that they have one foot out.”
Klopp told Liverpool’s owners in November that he would be leaving, with his decision being made public on 26 January.
The contracts of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are also scheduled to run out in summer 2025.
“The club knew about my departure already for a while. They could have used the time and tied the players down [to new deals],” added Klopp, prior to Wednesday’s game against Chelsea.
“Then I say, ‘by the way, I’m not here anymore’ and they say, ‘nobody told us that’. You cannot work like that, especially not with the relationship we have.
“There’s enough time to do everything.”
Klopp added that more information for those at the Anfield side would be provided “behind the scenes”.
“It was always clear that the outside world would not give you a second to process it. It’s just the next thing, what are you doing?’” added the 56-year-old German.
“Give us a break. If I’m here we need to create a perspective and what’s happening next and stuff like this. That’s completely normal.
“Nobody has to worry. I knew it would happen because you [media] cannot wait for these type of questions.
“This club is stable, 100%, and everything will be fine, I’m 100% sure.
“We have to get through this, get through your questions and we have to give some answers. That’s how it is.
“Our people, I would recommend to stay calm.
“There is nothing to worry about in this moment in time. We are in this season and all these talks could be part of a possible distraction for this season.
“The boys have to think about things, that’s a human right. That’s what you should do Salah sustained a hamstring injury playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations and returned to the club for treatment.
The plan was for him to return to his national team when fit but Egypt have since been knocked out of the tournament after losing on penalties to DR Congo.
“Mo is not ready for this [Chelsea] game, [or] the next game [at Arsenal],” said Klopp.
“He’s injured. It’s a muscle injury, that takes time. It could’ve been much worse but he’s not available at the moment. He’s just doing his rehab.”
just before you make a decision about whatever and that’s completely normal.”
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.
-
News4 days agoASUU Begins Two-Week Strike Today
-
Sports4 days agoS’Eagles Survive Plane Malfunction Emergency
-
News7 hours ago
Digital Infrastructure Key To Nigeria’s Economic Growth -NIEEE
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoGencos’ Debts: NDPHC Commends Tinubu Over N4tn Bond Approval
-
Education4 days agoNAS moves to end Out-of-School syndrome in Enugu
-
Featured6 hours agoNigeria’s First Lady Flags Off Renewed Hope Health Initiative In Rivers …Targets Measles, Rubella, HPV Vaccination For Children, Women
-
Rivers4 days agoDaewoo Restates Commitment To Transperancy In Tax Administration
-
Business4 days agoSEME Customs Foils Smuggling Attempt Of Expired Flour, Seizes N2bn Contraband