- Jurgen Klopp gave an emotional final speech to his players in the locker room
- It came after he led his team to a 2-0 victory over Wolves in his last game in charge.
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Jurgen Klopp addressed his Liverpool players for the last time on Sunday night after the curtain came down on his time in the Anfield dugout.
Klopp ended his nine-year reign with a 2-0 win over Wolves as Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah scored.
But the scoreline was never the main focus of the day, and everyone was fully aware that Klopp was ready to move on, none more so than the first-team stars. When the players returned to the locker room, the German manager gave his emotional final speech, beginning by insisting that he was more than happy with his team’s season despite missing out on the Premier League title.
“The football you can play is absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “I can’t wait to see you develop and take the next steps.”
After being told Manchester City had won their fourth consecutive title, with Liverpool the last team to stop them in 2020, Klopp added: “You can do it again.” I told you this morning. There may be people who tell you “that’s not enough”, I’m telling you, they have no idea about football.
Jurgen Klopp addressed his players for the last time after beating Wolves on Sunday.
After telling his players that he loved them and was proud of them, Klopp left the locker room for the last time to applause.
‘Could we have done better in a few moments? Yes, of course, that is always possible. But did we do better than can normally be expected? Oh yeah, because it takes longer to become a top team again, and you did it like this (snaps fingers).
“Then my expectations were raised and then we couldn’t keep up. That’s kind of the problem.
“Guys, in the first season with Liverpool 2.0 we came third and from now on with new energy from outside, with new influences, with new momentum, showing what they are worth, that is good to squeeze everything into your career.”
Throughout his nine years on Merseyside, Klopp won seven major trophies, including the Carabao Cup for the second time in his final season.
However, he ended his speech by speaking to his players on a more personal level, thanking them for their role in his journey at Liverpool since he arrived in 2015.
‘I just wanna say I love you. It was absolutely exceptional. Thank you for the journey, I’m so proud of you and so proud that I was allowed to be a part of this,” he said.
“Thank you very much and the sky is the limit for you guys,” before Klopp left the locker room to applause from the entire team.
Virgil van Dijk cried as he hugged Jurgen Klopp on the pitch after the final whistle.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was also seen crying as Klopp addressed the crowd for the last time.
Klopp led chants for Arne Slot, who will replace him at Anfield next season
He ended up delivering his trademark punches to the crowd on the Kop.
His final address to his players came at the end of an emotional day at Anfield that began with Klopp fighting back tears during the home crowd’s pre-match performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
After full-time, Klopp walked onto the pitch to hug his team, with captain Virgil van Dijk crying on his shoulder as they embraced.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was given his professional debut by Klopp, also broke down in tears as Klopp took the microphone and spoke to the Liverpool fans, leading chants for his replacement, Arne Slot.
Klopp then performed his trademark fist bumps in front of the Kop, before walking off the Anfield pitch for the final time.
