IF Jurgen Klopp ever doubted it for a second his emotional send-off on Sunday showed he will never walk alone in Liverpool.
Their world-famous Anfield anthem was never sung so loud and with so much passion as it was when the Kop said their goodbyes to a man who made them believe again.
16Jurgen Klopp fires up the crowd one last timeCredit: AFP
16Klopp has said goodbye to Liverpool after eight yearsCredit: Reuters
16Reds fans made their feelings heardCredit: EPA
16Klopp enjoyed plenty of success at LiverpoolCredit: Rex
16Klopp came out to address the fans after the final whistleCredit: PA
16The managerial icon poses with his backroom teamCredit: Reuters
16Klopp shared a bit hug with wife Ulla after the gameCredit: Sky Sports
16Ulla was in tears in the crowdCredit: Premier League Productions
The German will leave accompanied by the hearts of the 60,000 supporters who bade him Auf Wiedersehen as well as milliоns across the globe.
Among them was wife Ulla, who wiped away the tears as her husband – with whom she’ll be enjoying his, at least temporary, retirement in at the pair’s sunny Majorcan villa – was serenaded by the Kop.
The departing Liverpool boss, 56, ended his reign with a 2-0 win over 10-man Wolves at Anfield thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah.
Liverpool fans lined the streets before the game and packed Anfield after it.Klopp was presented to the crowd and serenaded before giving an emotional interview in front of his squad.
He said: “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.
“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.“We have this wonderful stadium, training centre and you – the superpower of world football. Wow.
“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 100%.
“Obviously I saw a lot of people crying and I will tonight too because I will miss people but change is good. Everything will be fine because the basics are 100% there.
“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.
“Thank you. You are the best team in the world. Thank you!”
Klopp then started a chant for successor Arne Slot before going around the ground and performing his iconic first pumps.
Local lad Trent Alexander-Arnold was reduced to tears by the atmosphere as the club he grew up supporting enters a new era.
Third place and a spot in next season’s Champions League had already been guaranteed.
So even if Klopp declared himself in “game mode” before kιck – off it was only ever about him.
What mattered far more was that the farewell was fitting and the faithful made very sure of that, as did his players.
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.
Wolves – at the end of boss Gary O’Neil’s first fine season – were never really at the races and by the 28th minute they were also down to ten me𝚗.
Nelson Semedo mindlessly dived in on Mac Allister – his challenge initially bringing a booking from referee Chris Kavanagh.
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.
Six minutes later Mac Allister was nodding home the first goal, rising ahead of 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 should have made it three but Һit the bar.
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.
16Jurgen Klopp spent plenty of time with the fansCredit: PA
16Klopp hugs Kenny DalglieshCredit: Rex
16Liverpool fans paid tribute to their iconic bossCredit: Getty
16Trent Alexander-Arnold hugs manager Klopp after being substitutedCredit: PA
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 sаy 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 sаy.“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 sаy.”
16The German was hugely popular with his playersCredit: AFP
16The Reds breezed past 10-man WolvesCredit: Rex
16Klopp will leave a lasting legacyCredit: Getty
16Liverpool have turned to Arne SlotCredit: Getty