Jurgen challenged to pull off Italian job without his No.2

JURGEN KLOPP has faced many tests in his time at Liverpool but coping with losing his ‘Brain’ is another challenge altogether.

The shock departure of righthand man Zeljko Buvac, temporary or not, has come at the worst possible moment.

There is absolutely no time to wallow in pity, though, on the eve of a Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma.

So far there has been nothing to suggest Klopp cannot deal with the loss of his trusted lieutenant who was renowned for his tactical nous – earning him the nickname ‘The Brain’.

Was it down to a fallout, a medical matter or a family crisis? Liverpool are refusing to say.

But whatever the reason, the loss of his assistant – whom he has been close with since they were players together – could only have come at a worse time for Klopp and his team had he left on the eve of the Champions League Final on May 26.

Even then at least Klopp would have had the man who has worked alongside him since he started out in management at Mainz in 2001 by his side to prepare for either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

That’s if they finish the job against Roma tomorrow night as expected after winning the first leg 5-2.

Now Klopp has to prove he can steer the Reds home on his own and another top German manager is backing him to do it.

Pushed

“Jurgen Klopp has done sensational things,” said former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund boss Ottmar Hitzfeld.

“In the Champions League, Liverpool have outgrown themselves. He pushed the team with his enthusiasm.

“Getting ahead of Manchester City was a bit of a sensation.

“They are also stronger away from home because they can counter with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Klopp has finally made the breakthrough there.

“I am even convinced that he will create an era in Europe with Liverpool. He has already proved in Dortmund that he can win titles.”

This season he has coped with the loss of Brazil star Philippe Coutinho and knocked Manchester City out of Europe when few thought they could.

Klopp will now lean even more on another member of his coaching team, Peter Krawietz, for advice as well as Andreas Kornmayer as they make their final preparations for the clash in the Italian capital.

He will also look to Krawietz, as he has always done, on the touchline in the Stadio Olimpico.

Yet, because of the surprise exit of Buvac, there will be more focus than usual on Klopp, especially if Roma start strongly.

Nobody said that winning a Champions League would be easy, though.

Central defender Virgil van Dijk described Klopp as the complete manager before the quarter-final demolition of City.

Now he has got the chance to prove it again.