The Jürgen Klopp era at Anfield is officially over. For Liverpool fans, it’s an emotional time, while for the club’s rivals it’s time to celebrate.

Klopp was rightly celebrated by the Anfield faithful on Sunday. No matter how much other supporters like to play down his achievements, the German has well and truly transformed the Reds over his nearly nine years in charge.

Having taken over at a club skulking around mid-table, Klopp took Liverpool back to the very pinnacle, turning them into European and world champions before ending the long wait for a Premier League title. Now, as he shoots off into the sunset, he leaves the club in good stead for Arne Slot to walk into.

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Klopp’s departure though does inevitably offer some hope to rival supporters that Liverpool will not be able to carry on the success it’s enjoyed over the years. Gary Neville is among those jumping for joy after seeing the German bid farewell.

“From a Manchester United perspective, I was delighted to see Jürgen Klopp go at the weekend!” Neville said in The Overlap newsletter. “I want United to be successful and there’s no getting away from the fact that when your rivals have great managers, it makes the task a lot harder.”

Neville is right that Liverpool has made things more difficult for United over the past few years. It’s not like Klopp’s departure is going to magically turn the Old Trafford club back into one of the Premier League’s top sides though.

Let’s get one thing clear — Liverpool is streets ahead of United in almost every aspect. That has nothing to do with bias either.

You only need to look at the final Premier League table to see that. The Reds finished 22 points ahead of their rivals in the end, and let’s face it, it should have been more.

United fans may cling on to Liverpool being unable to beat them this season like it’s some sort of trophy, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the two sides are polar opposites on the pitch. Crystal Palace showed exactly what should have happened on countless occasions to Erik ten Hag’s side in their 4-0 win over United earlier this month.

And as we move into the summer, Liverpool knows exactly where it stands. Slot will officially take over as head coach next month, while Richard Hughes will take care of the transfer business, with the proven success of Michael Edwards and Julian Ward back in position with FSG to offer their expertise.

United, meanwhile, doesn’t even seem to know whether Ten Hag will be in charge next season. Even if he is, the way he has led the club this campaign won’t exactly have Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City quaking in their boots. In fact, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle won’t be too bothered either.

Unlike Liverpool, United’s squad is in need of major surgery. They have a new technical director in place in the shape of former Southampton man Jason Wilcox, but they still don’t have a sporting director, and it doesn’t look like Dan Ashworth’s move from Newcastle will be complete anytime soon.

They certainly need to get a move on. United’s recent transfer business has been laughably poor. The likes of Antony, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, André Onana and Sofyan Amrabat have all been bought for big bucks under Ten Hag’s guidance — need we say more?

And all of this is before you even get to the two clubs’ respective stadiums. Liverpool has shown exactly how renovating an iconic ground should be done, and while there have been delays with the Anfield Road end, the Reds can rightfully claim to have one of the most impressive grounds in England again.

Old Trafford, meanwhile, is very much symbolic of United — a once-great institution slowly falling apart, and with its owners doing a terrible job of restoring it to its former glories.

So as much as Neville might celebrate Klopp’s departure, it will be of no relevance to Liverpool. United couldn’t be much further off seriously challenging the Reds, and it doesn’t show any signs changing that soon.