Jurgen Klopp keeps Jamie Carragher waiting as missing man may reveal Liverpool transfer plan
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign is over! On an emotional day at Anfield, the Reds beat Wolves 2-0 thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah.
But Liverpool’s final game of the season was never going to be about the action on the pitch, rather the post-match tributes to their legendary manager after a trophy-laden nine years at the club.
Addressing the Anfield crowd, Klopp memorably let the cat out of the bag regarding his successor as he led supporters in a first rendition of an Arne Slot chant - reworking one of his original songs to the tune of Opus' Live Is Life.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp denies retirement claims and explains what's next after leaving Liverpool 'empty'
READ MORE: Every word Jurgen Klopp said in emotional speech on Anfield pitch before leaving Liverpool
He then led all his coaching staff in a joint salute and fist pump in front of the Kop, before then saluting the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, Anfield Road End, and Main Stand himself.
But the chances are you, you already know that and have already seen such clips going viral on social media! So, with the ECHO still in their seats in the Anfield press box long after Klopp put the microphone down and supporters started to leave the ground, here are the moments you might have missed from Liverpool’s farewells ceremony and subsequent chaotic lap of honour.
“Dalglish!”
These days a non-executive director at Liverpool, Sir Kenny Dalglish was on hand alongside the likes of John W. Henry and Tom Werner to honour Klopp and his departing staff at Anfield on Sunday.
Standing on stage in the centre circle ahead of the presentation for the departees, the Kop wasted no time in spotting one of Liverpool’s greatest legends.
With the crowd bursting into a chant of ‘Dalglish’ prior to turning attentions to Klopp and co, the Scot returned the acclaim with a modest thumbs up.
Now a former Reds manager, Klopp joins Dalglish as one of the club’s most popular former stars with their connection with the fanbase unrivalled.
Poor Joel
Joel Matip is one of the most popular, and funny, Liverpool players of modern times.
Out of contract in the summer, it was no surprise when the club announced on Friday that he would be leaving Anfield when his deal expires. So, although ruled out through injury, the Cameroonian was one of a plethora of people making their Reds farewell on Sunday.
When it was his turn to walk through the guard of honour, he saluted all four corners of Anfield. But with his back turned, his team-mates subsequently took great joy in breaking from line and flicking his ears as he walked up to the stage. Poor Joel!
Later after the presentation, Matip then took on ball boy duties as he brought out a bag full of balls and started handing them out so all the players’ children could enjoy a kickabout during the lap of honour.
Pep’s pumps
It was revealed this week that Pep Lijnders will be taking over as the new head coach of Red Bull Salzburg, with it already known that Liverpool’s assistant manager would be departing alongside Klopp.
When it was his turn for a guard of honour, he partook in some rather enthusiastic fist pumps of his own, though perhaps lacking the choreography of Klopp, much to the delight of the crowd.
He has plenty of time to practise over the summer at least, before debuting such a celebration in Salzburg!
She’s also Van Dijk!
While Mohamed Salah’s daughter is traditionally the first youngster out on the Anfield pitch when the balls came out at the end of the season, this time it was one of Virgil van Dijk’s daughters. And she made sure to score at both ends!
Earning loud cheers from the Kop for scoring the first post-match goal, she later went up the the Anfield Road End the pitch when accompanied by her father. Scoring again, the supporters still present then burst into a rendition of the Dutchman’s chant to honour the pair.
Takes after their fathers
While some of the youngsters were most interested in scoring goals, it was a different story for Robertson and Endo junior as they kicked a ball around in the middle of the park.
The former would send the latter flying with one sliding tackle, which both fathers would surely be proud of! Maybe we should keep an eye out for the young Scot in the future!
Classy Thiago
Like Matip, Thiago Alcantara will be leaving Liverpool this summer when his contract expires. But while he returned to training this week, he wasn’t to be granted a farewell appearance as he was left out of Klopp’s final matchday squad.
His name was still serenaded, both during the match and when coming out for his turn walking through the guard of honour.
And when the players came back out to the pitch after the presentations for a lap of honour, the Spaniard embarked on his own mini lap.
Walking over to the Main Stand, he posed for pictures and signed autographs for a few grateful fans before returning to the pitch.
But then called over by supporters behind the Kop end, Thiago went from corner to corner to again pose for pictures and sign autographs. His Reds career might not have worked out quite as planned because of injury, but it was a classy gesture from the classiest of players.
GK Union
While Matip and Thiago know their Liverpool careers are over, there is yet to be confirmation on whether Adrian will be staying put at Anfield.
His contact is also up this summer, and the veteran has suggested he would like to return to La Liga. But the fact he wasn’t confirmed to be leaving earlier in the week suggests his future is still undecided.
There were no hints here, with no emotional goodbyes to the crowd. But he did join Alisson at the Anfield Road End of a GK union picture with the pair’s families. And while Liverpool most memorably attack the Kop, the pair of course defend the other end.
Always leave them wanting more
When back on the pitch after the presentations, unsurprisingly Klopp was a very popular man! He made sure to spend time with as many of his players as possible, hugging them all before embracing their family members too.
As a result, he didn’t even leave the pitch until 7.45pm - well over 90 minutes after the final whistle!
Yet long before such a departure, he was required for a number of media duties - including with Jamie Carragher and Kelly Cates on Sky Sports.
However, Sky were made to wait for Klopp as he instead posed for pictures with Conor Bradley’s family - which the Northern Irishman took himself! A man of the people, Klopp certainly had his priorities right!