By Samuel A. May 19, 2024
Liverpool sent departing manager Jürgen Klopp on his way with a 2-0 victory over 10 man Wolves as the Anfield faithful finally made an emotional farewell to their beloved boss after eight and half years. His 491st and final game was expected to be a sad one, but, while there were tears, the atmosphere was nothing but celebratory.
Receiving a raucous ovation from the adoring Anfield fans, he delivered a very heartfelt speech to the supporters: “I’m one of you now. I love you to bits”, Klopp said during his moving post match address to the fans that he described as the “superpower” of world football. “On my jumper is ‘Thank you Luv’ and ‘I will never walk alone again’.Thank you for that! You are the best people in the world. Thank you!”
Klopp, who signed off with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, reiterated his love for the club and its supporters, embraced his players, and even led the crowd in a chant welcoming his successor, Arne Slot. “It doesn’t feel like an end, it just feels like the start because I saw today a football team playing full of talent, full of youth, full of creativity, full of desire, full of greed,” he explained.
“People told me that I turned them from doubters to believers. That’s not true. Believing is an active act: You have to do it yourself. I just said we have to. You did it. That’s a big difference. And nobody tells you now to stop believing.”
Speaking at a presentation on the pitch, made by owners John W Henry and Tom Werner, chief executive Billy Hogan and Sir Kenny Dalglish after the 2-0 victory over Wolves, the 56-year-old offered a positive outlook on the future. “I’m surprised. I thought I’d already be in pieces but I’m not. I’m so happy about you all, the atmosphere, the game, being a part of this family and about us, how we celebrate this day. Thank you so much,” he said. Feyenoord manager Arne Slot will replace the veteran in the summer.
