Departure of 'iconic' Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a shock - Ray Houghton

Former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton says the news that "iconic figure" Jurgen Klopp is to step down as manager of the Merseysiders came as a shock.

The 56-year-old German has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, saying he is "running out of energy", having led the Premier League club to six major trophies since taking charge in October 2015.

"There were no rumours about it whatsoever," Houghton told RTÉ News. "Apparently Jurgen made the decision back in November and talked it through with the club.

"I was commentating on the game on Sunday when they were playing Bournemouth and I said how fresh he looked after he had been away for four days on holiday, and ready for the season ahead. I was at the game on Wednesday against Fulham and he was fist-pumping at the Liverpool supporters when they drew the game to go through to the [Carabao Cup] final.

"I was thinking everything was looking really good and then the news comes out that he's about to leave the club.

"This season Liverpool look fresh. There are some younger players coming in, top of the league and in the final of the League Cup, everything seems to be going in the right direction. FA Cup and Europa League still to come so four competitions they're still in and you would think the manager would be there for a lot longer but obviously he had a decision to make.

"He's an iconic figure. Very few people have got that in sport."

Houghton saluted the man who delivered the long-awaited league title in 2020 - as well as winning the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup - but believes that the bond he forged with the fans was about more than success on the pitch.

"There has been so much good about