Jurgen Klopp’s final game as Liverpool manager ended with a victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers amid emotional scenes at Anfield.
Liverpool’s fans made it their business to dedicate the whole occasion to giving thanks and paying tribute to the manager who has brought such success to the club in a nine-year reign.
And Klopp’s players delivered their part of the bargain with a comfortable three points in an atmosphere that was part carnival and part a sad farewell to the German, who were given a rapturous reception before kick-off and serenaded throughout.
Liverpool owner John W. Henry flew in from Boston to pay his own tribute to Klopp, whose crowning achievements were winning the Champions League in 2019—the club’s sixth win in the tournament—and their first league title in 30 years the following season.
The game itself was almost a sideshow.
Alex Mac Allister headed Liverpool ahead in the 34th minute from Harvey Elliott’s cross, and Jarell Quansah added a second from almost on the goalline six minutes later as they finished the season third in the Premier League after winning the Carabao Cup.
The goals came after Wolves had Nelson Semedo sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh after a Video Assistant Referee review for a high challenge on Mac Allister.
The Kop led the deafening tributes to Klopp as he cut a low-key-figure during the game, rarely prowling the touchline, preferring to stay seated alongside his loyal long-term assistants Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders, who will both leave Anfield with him.
It will now be the task of Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot, to build on the outstanding legacy he will leave.
Klopp’s fitting finale
This was a day that more about Klopp than Liverpool’s result or performance – but it was fitting the manager who has overseen so many memorable victories at Anfield should sign off his nine-year reign with a win.
Liverpool’s fans delivered a flavour of what lay in store as thousands lined Anfield Road to greet Klopp at the head of the team coach, and the manager was given a predictably rapturous reception as he came out for the warm-up.
Before kick-off, Liverpool’s fans unveiled mosaics on three sides of Anfield – one stretching along the length of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand reading simply ‘Jurgen’ while another in the Anfield Road stated ‘Danke’.
Klopp listened intently to a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before embracing his backroom team one by one as they joined him on the bench.
The manager’s name was chanted throughout the first half but the volume was really turned up as the clock ticked down to the moment when it was time for Klopp to take his bows.
This was Klopp’s 491st match in charge and his 299th win, losing only 12 of 167 Premier League games at Anfield.
Klopp’s remarkable record has written him into Liverpool legend, as could be seen the tears, smiles and raw emotion that played out throughout the game.
The good news for Slot is Klopp has left him in a squad in fine shape to push for further success with a blend of world-class stars and emerging youngsters for the coach, who is coming from Feyenoord, to take on next season.
This, however, was Klopp’s day and The Kop left him in no doubt how much they loved him and how much he will be missed.
