If there was ever any doubt in his mind, Jurgen Klopp’s moving farewell on Sunday proved he will always be with Liverpool.
The Kop never chanted their beloved Anfield anthem louder or more passionately than they did when bidding farewell to a man who had given them hope once more.
Jurgen Klopp fires up the crowd one last time
Klopp has said goodbye to Liverpool after eight years
Reds fans made their feelings heard
Klopp enjoyed plenty of success at Liverpool
Klopp came out to address the fans after the final whistle
The managerial icon poses with his backroom team
Klopp shared a bit hug with wife Ulla after the game
Ulla was in tears in the crowdCredit: Premier League Productions
The German is leaving with the hearts of millions of people worldwide and the 60,000 supporters who wished him Auf Wiedersehen.
Wife Ulla was among them, wiping away the tears as the Kop serenaded her husband, whom she will be enjoying his, at least temporary, retirement at the couple’s bright Majorcan villa.
The final game of the 56-year-old manager of Liverpool’s tenure saw the team defeat 10-man Wolves 2-0 at Anfield, thanks to goals from Jarell Quansah and Alexis Mac Allister.
Before the match, Liverpool supporters crowded Anfield, and afterwards they lined the streets.
After being introduced to the audience and serenaded, Klopp had an emotional interview with his team.
He expressed amazement. I am not as broken as I had anticipated.
“I am ecstatic about everything—you guys, the vibe, the game, being a member of this family, and our celebration of this day.
The feeling is not of an end. It is only the beginning, really. I watched a football team play today that was full of youth, talent, inventiveness, passion, and greed. That is one aspect of development; clearly, you need that.
“During the past few weeks of receiving excessive attention, I have come to several realizations. People claim that I converted them from skeptics to believers.
“That is untrue. You succeeded. No one advises you to give up your faith. This is a better time than in a long time for this club.
“We have this amazing stadium, this training facility, and you—the global football superpower. Whoa.
We choose whether to be anxious or happy. Our belief is a choice. We make the decision to trust or not trust. I am one of you now, and I will not give up. I continue to believe wholeheartedly.
“It goes without saying that I saw a lot of people cry, and I will tonight as well. Change is good, but I will miss the people. The fundamentals are in place, so everything will work out just fine.
“Just as you greeted me, you also greet the new management. You put your all into it from the start. You never stop believing. You exert pressure on the group. Now I am one of you. I adore you utterly.
“I am grateful. The world’s greatest team is yours. I am grateful.
Subsequently, Klopp began a cheer for Arne Slot, his successor, before circling the field and doing his famous first pump.
Local boy Trent Alexander-Arnold, who grew up watching the team, was brought to tears by the atmosphere as it entered a new era.
They had already secured third place and a Champions League berth for the following season.
Therefore, even if Klopp said he was in “game mode” before kickoff, the focus was always on him.
The fans and his teammates ensured that the parting was appropriate, which was far more important.
Slott may have been watching in Holland as he prepares to take over this week and, if he were not aware of the void that he will be filling before this tear–filled farewell, then he is now.
At the conclusion of manager Gary O’Neill’s first successful season, Wolves was never truly in the race, and by the 28th minute, they were also down to ten men.
With reckless abandon, Nelson Semedo charged at Mac Allister, earning referee Chris Kavanagh’s first booking.
Once upon a time Klopp would have been screaming for tougher justice but while he remained calm, VAR David Coote suggested another look and Kavanagh upgraded the card to red.
After an only six minutes, Mac Allister scored the opening goal by heading over Santiago Bueno to meet Harvey Elliott’s cross.
Just before the break, the lead was doubled as centre-back Quansah stretched to connect with Mohamed Salah’s shot.
Luis Diaz hit the bar even though he should have made it three.
The poetic end of Egyptian king Salah scoring the final goal of Klopp’s reign was denied as his 69th-minute shot was tipped over brilliantly by Jose Sa.
But it did not spoil the party as the players ran to hug their manager.
After the game, Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports: “I’ve got no words.
“It’s been an emotional day. It was always going to be a tough afternoon.
“You can’t prepare for these situations, these moments. He deserves every bit of the love that he is getting at the moment.”
The legendary German has suggested he may not return to the dugout.
Jurgen Klopp spent plenty of time with the fans
Klopp hugs Kenny Dalgliesh
Liverpool fans paid tribute to their iconic boss
Trent Alexander-Arnold hugs manager Klopp after being substituted
Per Fabrizio Romano, Klopp admitted: “It will be a long break, for sure. It might even be it.
“My time in England is definitely over because I will not coach another team here.
“If I manage again, it will not be around the corner”.
The veteran tactician is exhausted by the demands of the job and plans to escape the spotlight by heading for the peace and tranquillity of his Mallorca mansion.
Sources close to Klopp say he is genuinely jaded by management.
And he is now keen to enjoy a low-key life away from the media glare.
Klopp provided a glimpse into his now former office after a “strange and emotional” Liverpool training session.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss shocked fans by joining Instagram and then issuing a sweet farewell video.
He then followed that up with another video in which he provided supporters with a look inside his office at the club’s training ground.
“So, here I am, last day in the office. Last session done and it was strange I would say.
“Obviously, I decide what I think until I get overwhelmed tomorrow.
“So, I will leave this place which is… erm… yeah… an interesting experience I would say.”
The German was hugely popular with his players
The Reds breezed past 10-man Wolves
Klopp will leave a lasting legacy
Liverpool have turned to Arne Slot