By Joe Bernstein for MailOnline
09:03 28 January 2024, Updated 11:18 28 January 2024
Jurgen Klopp will be consoled by his 'best friend and brother' David Wagner on an emotional afternoon at Anfield.
The fixture list for Sunday's FA Cup tie against Norwich does not mention Klopp's bombshell announcement on Friday that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season due to an early publication deadline.
But in his project notes, Klopp speaks fondly of Canaries boss Wagner, who was best man at his wedding after they first met as teammates in Mines.
„I know David very well, so I consider him a great friend and brother,” Klopp said.
'Today will be a rare experience for me to see his team lose and I'm sure David will suffer the same fate for me.
'Usually the teams we manage are second choice to each other. I'm sure we'll hug back and forth, but there won't be any emotion in between, and we wouldn't have it the other way around.
'David is a great leader, a manager who is ready for different kinds of challenges and trials.'
It is the first time The Cop has paid tribute to Klopp since it was announced he was leaving after nine years on Merseyside.
On Saturday, the Liverpool captain became the first Reds player to speak out following Klopp's announcement, admitting on the club's website that the news had been difficult for the team.
„It's hard to take because I think the manager is for us, for me, the club, the whole Premier League,” Van Dijk said.
But he decided for himself and his family. It's always going to be a tough one, that's for sure.'