When Klopp needs you - you feel like a king. When he want's you out - you'll probably feel like garbage

The warmth and affable nature of Jurgen Klopp as a man-manager in football is widely known and celebrated. However, recent revelations from former Liverpool players shed light on a seemingly colder and more pragmatic side to the Liverpool manager, showcasing their experiences upon leaving Anfield.

Captain Jordan Henderson made headlines with his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, revealing in an interview how he felt unvalued and knew his playing time would diminish due to new arrivals in his position. Henderson cited a conversation with Klopp and a lack of clear affirmation from the club as key factors in his decision to leave.

"There were a few things that sent alarm bells ringing. I've got a very good relationship with Jurgen. He was very honest with me. I won't go into detail about the conversation because it's private, but it put me in a position where I knew I wouldn't be playing as much. I knew there would be new players coming in my position."

If Klopp or the owners said to me: 'We want you to stay', we wouldn’t be having this conversation

Similarly, Roberto Firmino departed Liverpool after communication about contract negotiations felt uncertain and slow. He noted a perceived avoidance from Klopp and expressed relief that the manager didn't persuade him to stay after declining a new contract.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, leaving for Besiktas on a free transfer, highlighted his surprise at the lack of communication regarding his future at Liverpool, ultimately learning about his release through an official club statement.

"I got told before they released the statement they were going to publish the news that Milner, Firmino, Keita and I were leaving. But there was nothing official at any point before. It was just the silence was enough to know what the situation was. You expect certain things to be told - whether it's good, bad, whatever, that's how the game goes. The lack of communication was a bit surprising."

These departures reveal the stark reality of football, where players, despite their previous contributions, are phased out or left without clarity about their futures. Klopp's handling of certain players, such as Mario Balotelli and Mamadou Sakho, further illustrates instances where players were sidelined or forced out due to the manager's decisions. Balotelli did his best to succeed following his season-long loan at Milan. At the beginning of the 2016/17 season, he came back to the Reds for pre-season training. According to reports, he told his teammates that he wanted to impress the German manager and revive his career at Liverpool. Unfortunately, Klopp had already made up his mind about the Italian, and had different plans for the team. Super Mario was relegated to the reserves and eventually shipped off to Nice

Sakho's Liverpool tenure came to an abrupt end following disciplinary issues during pre-season, leading to his loan and eventual permanent departure to Crystal Palace.

"It is true that I turned up late. There was a rule that I should have observed. I do not at all see myself as above the rules. I respect everyone. I paid my fine, I was sanctioned, I apologised to my teammates and my manager. Aside from that… I do not want to go into the controversies."

Lazar Markovic and Loris Karius also experienced similar fates, with limited opportunities under Klopp and eventual exits from Liverpool, citing issues in communication and managerial decisions. The departures of Jose Enrique, Steven Caulker, Jon Flanagan, and Ben Davies from Liverpool during Klopp's reign didn't draw as much attention as some other exits. These players also found themselves on the periphery of the team and struggled to secure regular playing time under Klopp's management - and felt strong alienation from the rest of the team towards the end of their time at Anfield.

In contrast, while Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might harbour some feelings of disappointment or frustration about how their Liverpool careers concluded, they left the club with an impressive array of trophies and titles. But no player has ever outlasted the club they won trophies for. And when it comes to getting rid of unwanted players - Klopp isn't the one to shy away from the duty.