Liverpool’s biggest Champions League game in ten years will be played amid the background of extraordinary disruption following the exit of one of Jurgen Klopp’s most trusted lieutenants.

Klopp’s long-time assistant, Zeljko Buvac, will be a notable absentee when the squad flies to Rome today ahead of their second-leg semi-final having been stood down from his coaching duties for the rest of the season.

The decision was taken by Klopp and Buvac over the weekend to temporarily suspend their working relationship. Given Liverpool are readying to protect their 5-2 lead against AS Roma, the timing of their split – whether it proves temporary or permanent - is astonishing.

The duo have worked closely for 17 years at three different clubs. Now, on the verge of celebrating what would be one of their most notable achievements should Liverpool reach the Champions League final, their professional relationship is in crisis.

Liverpool confirmed the 56-year-old Bosnian will not be part of their staff for the two remaining Premier League games and rest of the European campaign as growing tensions came to a head following Saturday’s goalless draw with Stoke City.

According to the Merseyside club, Buvac is taking time out of the first team environment for unspecified ‘personal reasons’. There is no doubt, however, those reasons are work-related.

They left open the possibility of his return before the start of next season, although privately it is being conceded that is unlikely.

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Liverpool’s players were informed of the development at training on Sunday, creating a sense of surprise and shock at their Melwood training ground.

Buvac takes much of the responsibility alongside Klopp overseeing training.

The sudden exit appears to have been agreed between Klopp and Buvac for the greater good of the team at key stage of the season.

The Bosnian has previously been an animated and influential figure – the nickname ‘the brain’ which originated when he was part of Klopp’s backroom team in Germany – has stuck.

However, in recent weeks and months and it has been noted all was not as it was. He has seemed more distant and less communicative. Klopp chose to address this directly in the build-up to the second leg began, the consequences of which led to Monday’s confirmation of the change.

Buvac and Peter Krawietz (not pictured) have been described as the ‘brain’ and ‘eye’ in Klopp’s coaching unit credit: Reuters

Liverpool have not moved to make a replacement for Buvac for Wednesday’s tie. The door has been left open for further discussion at the end of the campaign.

It remains to be seen how much the Merseyside club will feel Buvac’s departure. He started working alongside Klopp at the start of the Liverpool manager’s coaching career and the German coach has often spoken of skills coming as part of a unit. When he signed the extension to his Liverpool deal in the summer of 2016, he insisted Buvac and his other assistant, Peter Krawietz, be given the same six year extension.

They worked as a trio at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund prior to making the move to Anfield.

Tensions have surfaced recently as Klopp continues to evolve his backroom set-up. Buvac is not the first significant departure this season, although he is certainly the most high profile and influential. Klopp has already been planning for more change at the end of the season, especially in the physiotherapy department. In October, the head of physiotherapy Andy Renshaw left the club suddenly and there have been ongoing discussions about who should replace him. It is unclear if Zeljko’s input was considered as significant in those discussions as he might once have indicated.

Klopp and Buvac worked together at Borussia Dortmund credit: ULLSTEIN BILD

Zeljko is also the second member of the senior coaching staff to leave this year. In January, Pep Ljinders left Anfield to become head coach at NEC Nijmegen. That caused few tremors when it happened, but once more the timing was curious as it was mid-season and Ljinders had previously been presented as a key figure behind the scenes.

Liverpool fans will be worried history is repeating itself.

It seems whenever Liverpool enjoy a stunning European run, the tranquillity is upset in the backroom unit.

In 2001, after Gerard Houllier’s side won the treble including the UEFA Cup, he lost his assistant Patrice Bergues, a key architect in rebuilding the squad for the previous two years.

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Although the significance of his decision to return to France was played down at the time, Houllier would later try to bring him back as he could not establish the same trust with his replacements. His 2001 success was never replicated.

There was similar disturbance the last time Liverpool reached the Champions League final in 2007. Rafa Benitez arrived at Anfield with an impressive backroom team including assistant manager Pako Ayesteran. Ayesteran was considering his position by the summer of 2007 and left shortly after.

Liverpool never reached another final during the Benitez era, Ayestaran’s influence missed in the dressing room.

While Buvac’s future is in doubt, so too is that of Under 18 coach Steven Gerrard. He remains in talks with Rangers, contemplating whether his first senior management position is a golden opportunity or a poisoned chalice.