Diogo Jota, who was under Jurgen Klopp until last June, spoke about the German’s new role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Football. He said he feels “great affection” for him and stressed that they have “to respect his decision”.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota said on Thursday that manager Jurgen Klopp’s decision to become director of football at Austrian energy drinks multinational Red Bull should be “respected” and wished him “the best of luck”.

Speaking at a press conference with the Portugal national team, Jota recalled that Klopp, who left Liverpool at the end of last season, had admitted to being “a bit tired of being on the bench” and that his new professional project “goes in that direction”.

Asked about the criticism of Klopp in his native Germany following his move to Red Bull, Jota only emphasised the “great affection” he feels for his former coach and stressed that they have “to respect his decision”.

Jota, 27, has two goals and two assists in the Premier League with Liverpool, who are leading the way in a positive start that he now wants to maintain with Portugal in a potentially decisive run of games.

Portugal, who top Group A1 after wins over Croatia and Scotland, take on Poland in Warsaw on the 12th and meet the Scots in Glasgow on the 15th.