Jurgen Klopp admits he is “gutted” after Pep Lijnders decided to leave Liverpool to become head coach of Dutch club NEC Nijmegen.

The 34-year-old was one of the most respected coaches at Melwood after joining the club in 2014.

The Dutchman, who has also had spells with PSV Eindhoven and Porto, initially took charge of the Under-16s at the Academy before being appointed first-team development coach in 2015.

He has thrived under Klopp, becoming a key part of his backroom staff, and with a heavy heart the Reds boss has allowed him to head back home.

NEC Nijmegen are currently second in the Netherlands' second tier, and Klopp recognises this was a job Lijnders could not turn down.

“It’s such a strange mix of emotions talking about Pep leaving us,” Klopp said.

“Firstly, I am gutted to be losing such a valuable member of our coaching team and such a brilliant person from our group.

“But that is tempered by the fact I am very excited for him to have this opportunity and as much as we would have loved for him to remain with us, we cannot stand in his way for what is a fantastic opportunity.

“It is hard to undersell the role Pep played in helping us settle, educating us about football life in England and then contributing ideas to the progress and development of this team.

“He has such a big football brain, but it’s his willingness to learn and absorb information and always look to improve and be better as a coach that makes him stand out.

“Of course, one of his biggest legacies at LFC will be the development and integration into the first-team squad of so many young and exciting players.

“The role he played in making us aware of these players and then helping us get the best out of them will have a lasting impact here, beyond him leaving.

“On the personal side, his wonderful family have also become part of our lives and we will miss them so much.

“There will be no greater supporter of NEC Nijmegen in Liverpool than me and I know this is the very start of a long journey for Pep – one where he will undoubtedly become a success.”

Lijnders has been credited with the emergence of several of Liverpool's youngsters, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Woodburn and Ovie Ejaria.

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He held weekly 'Talent Group' sessions at Melwood, allowing the young stars to catch the eye of first-team staff, and was considered the bridge between the first-team and youth set-up.

Lijnders admits the decision to leave the club after three-and-a-half years was not easy, and paid tribute to his former employers.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “I could write for hours thanking the people at Liverpool who have helped me since I came here and the decision to leave has not been easy.

“In general terms I would like to thank all the amazing players and staff at Melwood and the Academy at Kirkby, who I’ve been privileged to work with. Also, at Anfield – that is such a special place with special people and I never took for granted going to work at one of the greatest stadiums in the world every other week.

“This club is so, so lucky to have someone of Jürgen’s calibre leading its football team – he is world-class, truly world-class and I hope to take many of the great lessons I learned from him, Zeljko Buvac, Peter Krawietz and John Achterberg into my own future leading a side.”