The eyes of the world were on Merseyside on Sunday evening as legendary Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp made his final bow in front of the supporters.
The 56-year-old showman walked out on to the Anfield touchline one final time to an emotional rendition of the Kop anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone before his side took on Wolves in their final game of the campaign.
The German announced his departure back in January, with each Reds game since then forming part of a farewell tour.
Ultimately, the final day would come; and the manager who won the lot for his beloved club would leave after nearly nine years in charge.
The Reds won 2-0, but the game meant little for the table with third spot already secured. If anything, it was all about Liverpool sending their gaffer off with a performance he could be proud of — and he was.
“It doesn’t feel like an end. It just feels like a start. Today I saw a football team play full of talent, youth, creativity, desire, greed. That’s one part of development, that’s what you need, obviously,” Klopp told a houseful ground in his emotional farewell speech post-match.
“People say I turned them from doubters into believers. That’s not true. You did it. Nobody tells you to stop believing.”
He then went on to pay tribute to the fans, saying that he is one of them now.
“This club is in a better moment than ever. We have this wonderful stadium, training centre and you — the superpower of world football. Wow,” he said.
“We decide if we are worried or excited. We decide if we believe. We decide if we trust or don’t trust. Today I am one of you and I keep believing. I stay believing one-hundred percent.”
Former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is set to take the reins at Anfield. And even though the club have yet to make an official announcement, it was typical of Klopp to make mention of the future manager in his speech — passing down the baton in his unique style.
“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 love you to bits. You are the best team in the world. Thank you.”
Pictured above: Jürgen Klopp
Image source: @liverpoolfc
