Jurgen Klopp was given the farewell he deserved as Liverpool put two unanswered goals past 10-man Wolves as a historic era came to an end.
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Premier League (38), Anfield
May 19, 2024
Objectives: Mac Allister 34′, Quansah 40′
A fitting end to an unprecedented era
“There’s no doubt these lads deserve promotion if at all possible,” Virgil van Dijk wrote in his program notes.
It was a mission success. There was even a clean sheet, the first in the league since the trip to Forest – that was at the beginning of March!
It’s no secret that Liverpool’s motivation for this match was greater than Wolves’, but this was a farewell win that suited the manager and his outgoing coaches.
Every player in Klopp’s starting XI has signed or handed in their academy debut, each with their own story of what it means to them.
We saw Liverpool use the wings and bring tempo into the match, Andy Robertson turned back time and gave us flashbacks every time he linked up with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
There was a hint of the ‘new’ in Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quasah and Conor Bradley as well, while nods to the old guard were scattered throughout the XI.
The season did not end as we wished, far from it, but the victory was the least the coach deserved after almost nine unforgettable years.
Klopp’s favorite for Sloto’s weapon
Alexis Mac Allister has proven himself time and time again this season, the player who is undoubtedly the signing of the season.
The number 10 was deployed on the right of midfield, a departure from his normal position on the left when he shared the pitch with Wataru Endo – his influence remained though.
The subject of a nasty challenge from Nelson Semendo – which rightly sent Wolves off – preceded a wonderful header, his seventh of the season.
It was only right that the teacher’s pet scored and hinted at more to come under new coach Arne Slott, who will no doubt be looking to build around the No.10.
At the time of the Argentinian’s substitution, after 70 minutes, he was the FotMob player with the highest rating (8.5) – he finished with one goal, three created chances, 95 percent pass accuracy and 100 percent duel success (7/7).
At 25 years old, we are just at the beginning of his prime and he will be an integral part of any success we hope to see under Sloto.
A legacy to carry on
If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. It’s a saying Klopp has lived by, not just at Liverpool, but throughout his managerial career.
He used 120 different players during his time at the club and while big signings were coming in, he always made sure those in the academy knew a chance was on the cards.
Alexander-Arnold is the poster boy, Curtis Jones was next, and like Elliott, Quansah and Bradley, the next generation is here.
That’s not even mentioning Bobby Clark, Ben Doak and James McConnell — among others — and that’s the legacy he leaves behind for Slott to pick up and run with.
That Quansah was on the scoresheet again and Elliott ended his campaign with another assist was symbolic, the baton being passed in more ways than one.
Klopp recently expressed his regrets about not getting enough use out of Liverpool’s No.19 at the end of the season, and he put another stamp here with a Man of the Match performance.
The next generation is here and the future is bright.
Questionnaires also come out
It was a farewell day for Klopp and his coaches, alongside Thiago and Joel Matip – neither of whom were fit to make the squad.
Their exits have been duly given the honors they deserve, but even though it’s written in stone, question marks remain over others.
Kostas Tsimikas was left out of the squad for the game despite being fit, Adrian is out of contract and has hinted he wants to return to Spain, while rumors continue to swirl about Salah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
Klopp has long held sway, but with Slott coming in as head coach, the big calls on how the team transforms will largely be left in the hands of sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG’s Michael Edwards.
We have an interesting summer ahead of us, change is here whether we like it or not.
Final bow
The day we dreaded, the one we thought we had a few years left before we had to cross this bridge.
But there could be no delaying the inevitable. Klopp didn’t want this day to be dedicated to him, but there was little he could do!
His name was sung, a mosaic was unveiled in his honor and tears were shed over the memories and years we shared together.
The Kop went through the best of Klopp’s song era, with all players past and present taking center stage – from Divock Origi to Virgil van Dijk.
A celebratory atmosphere preceded a melancholy, fitting farewell to the Shankly of our generation – although you sense there are not enough hours left to truly commemorate what he did for this club.
Every fan was on their feet singing ‘I’m so glad Jurgen is red’ for almost 10 minutes, the epitome of how Klopp has brought the whole club together, turning us from doubters to believers.
‘Now you’re going to believe us, we got the fucking lot’
