Liverpool have moved to deny reports that are claiming the club's assistant manager Zeljko Buvac has left the club following a bust up with manager Jurgen Klopp. Stories emerged on Monday morning claiming the two had fallen out, and Buvac had left, but reports are now claiming the Bosnian Serb is simply on a leave of absence.
The Mirror had claimed that Buvac had left the club as a result of being somewhat ostracised from the club staff. Despite being nicknamed 'the Brain' (due to his influence on Klopp's Gegenpressing), decisions had been made without him in recent times, Buvac even being left out of staff meetings.
However, the club have now moved to deny the claim; instead announcing that Buvac has taken a leave of absence as a result of personal reasons. He will spend time away from the team for the rest of the season, but his position under Klopp remains very much in tact.
BREAKING: @LFC deny reports that assistant coach Zeljko Buvac has left the club. Liverpool say Buvac is on a leave of absence and his role at Anfield is unaffected. #SSN pic.twitter.com/kCeJHNrAl1
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 30, 2018
BREAKING: After reports that Zeljko Buvac has left #LFC, we understand that he will spend some time away from the first team environment for the rest of the season for personal reasons. Buvac remains an employee and his position at the club is not affected by this absence. pic.twitter.com/KJPiFyuzDu
— BBC Merseyside Sport (@bbcmerseysport) April 30, 2018
It had been said that the team was informed of Buvac's resignation on Sunday. Both Klopp and Buvac were said to not be able to stand together on the training pitch, and Buvac was no longer having a say in who was being picked for matches.