Jürgen Klopp reveals when he will cry after holding emotions together in Liverpool goodbye
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp insisted before the Wolves game that it was business as usual on his last day in charge at Anfield. And he kept to that promise surprisingly well for the 90 minutes and even beyond, but confessed that the tears would come later.
There were hugs and handshakes all round, with Klopp congratulated by all of the Wolves backroom staff before making his way on to the pitch. The stewards and the officials also said their goodbyes.
But it was his interactions with the Liverpool players on the Anfield pitch that attracted all eyes. There were tears in the eyes of Virgil van Dijk as the captain exchanged words with his manager, who said after the game that it was a 'tough' moment — but 'life goes on'.
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Klopp had shown signs of emotion before kick-off, when a powerful rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone left him close to tears. With the match drawing to a close, his wife Ulla was also seen wiping her eyes.
The tributes for the manager continued to pour in after the final whistle, while departing players Joël Matip (another legend of the club) and Thiago Alcântara were also recognized. No longer needing to be in 'game mode', many expected the emotions would be on show for Klopp, but he held himself together surprisingly well.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was another moved to tears. But Klopp predicted that would come later: "Obviously I saw a lot of people crying, and it will happen to me tonight as well because I will miss people, that’s clear.
"But as well, change is good. And you never know exactly what to expect, but if you go with the right attitude into that, then everything will be fine, because the basics are 100 per cent there."
Liverpool.com says: Tears all round are inevitable at some point. There's no doubt Klopp has held out longer than most of those inside Anfield, and even sat at home.
It was a fitting send-off in just about every way. Klopp did well to keep his side focused enough to deliver a parting win, the first time a Liverpool manager has achieved this in nearly a century. It feels like about that long since the last clean sheet, too, so that was nice.
But the game was never the main story of the afternoon, and Anfield certainly delivered in showering Klopp with affection. He could not help but see the regard in which he is held; he does not always like being the center of attention, but he is departing as one of the all-time greats in Liverpool history.