Klopp exits with head held high after capturing Liverpool in Shankley way
DEPARTING HERO: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of the Premier League. Pic: Peter Byrne, PA Wire.
On an emotionally charged afternoon a Anfield, Jurgen Klopp signed off as Liverpool manager with a comfortable win, more than a few of his trademark fist pumps and a positive message for the future.
There was barely a dry eye in the house as the German said farewell and thank you after nine and half momentous years in charge.
His players and back room staff formed a guard of honour and the crowd sang their adapted version of the Beatles classic "I'm So Fine" as he strode onto the pitch to receive the replicas of each of the major trophies he has won from the club's American owner John W. Henry who had flown in from Boston for the occasion.
The words "Danke Jurgen" - spelled out on the seats of the lower deck of the Anfield Road and Sir Kenny Dalglish stands - greeted Klopp as he emerged from the tunnel to take charge of his 491st and final game as Liverpool manager.
In such a carnival atmosphere the game didn't really matter especially with Liverpool safe in third place and assured of Champions League football next season.
But first half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah ensured the German received a fitting winning send-off.
The statistics will show he will depart with a record of of 299 wins, 109 draws and only 83 defeats plus, of course, delivering the club's first League title for 30 years and their sixth Champions League.
There was also the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and a Community Shield. The only trophy missing was the Europa League - Liverpool lost to Seville in the final at the end of Klopp's first season in 2016.
There were defeats in two other Champions League finals - both to Real Madrid - and two last-day domestic title near misses when they were pipped by Manchester City, who were making history down the East Lancs Road by lifting a fourth championship in a row as Klopp was saying his farewells.
But Klopp means so much more to Liverpool fans than just silverware with the way he has connected with them and the city as well as re-energising the club.
And how they showed it throughout a one-sided game, waving their banners and singing their songs, before producing thunderous applause at the final whistle.
Klopp, wearing his traditional baseball cap and dressed all in black, looked to have a tear in his eye as he listened to the crowd sing the club's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" for the last time before kick off.
And in his speech to the crowd at the end, Klopp delivered an upbeat view of the state of the club for incoming boss Arne Slot.
"It doesn't feel like an end," he said.
"It just feels like a start because I saw a football team full of talent, youth, creativity, desire, greed. You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me. You go all in from the first day. You keep believing. You push the team. I'm one of you now.
"I'm sure you will all agree there does not need an overhaul. We finished third. We were ahead of schedule. It's a statement in this strong league and I'm absolutely fine with that.
"We live in a world where it's all about results for others. We learn that not getting absolutely everything is fine. It's such a massive lesson for life. It's not about that, it's about the journey and the togetherness and that's what I love. Things might not always go perfect.
“The other clubs, with the most money and the best managers, they win it. We didn't have the best manager and never had the best team but for a while we played the best football and I love that.
"We are a rock-solid club and don't overspend. People say 'you didn't spend enough'. What the heck do you want? I just understand this from the Liverpool way.”
Like Bill Shankly, Klopp has always been a man of the people and he couldn't resist playing to the crowd by describing them as "the superpower in world football" before adding "I love you to bits."
The game was a sideshow that Liverpool dominated from start to finish. But not until referee Chris Kavanagh had sent off Nelson Semedo for a dangerous challenge on Mac Allister did Liverpool turn their dominance into goals.
It was Mac Allister who headed the first in the 34th minute from Harvey Elliott's cross, and Quansah added a second six minutes later, his second goal of the week after his towering header against Aston Villa.
This was a much simpler effort with the young defender poking the ball over the line after Mo Salah's shot had been deflected.
Liverpool could and should have had more goals in the second half but Wolves keeper Jose Sa made a series of fine saves - frustrating Salah in particular on a number of occasions - while Luis Diaz somehow hit the underside of the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Klopp spent much of the game seated alongside his long-term assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz who will leave with him along alongside a number of other backroom coaching staff and two senior players Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip.
Now the job of building on Klopp's legacy lies with Arne Slot. The good news for the Dutchman is that Klopp has left him a squad in good shape to push for further success with a blend of world-class stars and talented youngsters.
Klopp donned a red hoodie with "I'll never walk alone again" on the back for the farewell ceremony. He can certainly walk away with his head held high.
Alisson 7; Alexander-Arnold 7 (Bradley 70, 7), Quansah 7, Van Dijk 8, Robertson 7; Elliott 9 (Jones 80, 5), Endo 7, Mac Allister 8 (Gravenberch 70, 6)); Salah 7, Gakpo 7 (Szoboszlai 80, 5), Diaz 7 (Nunez 70, 6).
Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Jota.
Mac Allister 34, Quansah 40.
Sa 7; S Bueno 6 (doyle 84, 5), Kilman 6, Toti 6; Semedo 6, Lemina 6, J Gomes, 6, Bellegarde 5 (Traore 62, 5), Ait-Nouri 7 (H Bueno 77, 5); Cunha 6 (Neto 77, 5), Hwang 5 (Doherty 62, 5).
Bentley, Gonzalez, Chirewa, Fraser.
Semedo 30.
C. Kavanagh 7.
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