Brain drain a Kop setback

could be on the verge of leaving Liverpool permanently.

But, for now, the Reds insist that he remains an employee at the club.

His absence is a major setback as Klopp’s men head to Italy today looking to protect their 5-2 first-leg lead and book a spot in the Champions League Final.

Liverpool’s players were told of his departure at training on Sunday.

Clash

Most were shocked by the news, which will hamper preparations for the clash in the Italian capital. And the timing of his temporary departure is bizarre.

This will be Klopp’s biggest game in charge and the most important for the Merseysiders in the last decade.

Buvac has worked with Klopp since he started his managerial career at Mainz back in 2001.

Along with coach Peter Krawietz he signed a six-year contract extension, along with Klopp, in the summer of

2016.

It is not the first time a Liverpool boss has lost his assistant manager mid-campaign.

When Gerard Houllier’s side won the cup treble, including the UEFA Cup in

2001, he saw assistant Patrice Bergues depart.

And soon after Liverpool had reached the 2007 Champions League Final, having won the competition two years earlier, Rafa Benitez’s assistant Pako Ayesteran quit.

Reds ace Mohamed Salah will not face disciplinary action for his clash with Stoke’s Bruno Martins Indi.

The Premier League’s top scorer swung his arm at the defender during Saturday’s goalless draw, with the incident missed by referee Andre Marriner.

But a three-man panel of ex-referees decided yesterday that it was not violent conduct.