Liverpool given transfer clue as two players prepare for move

Mac Allister shows transfer way

Amid the emotion and the farewells, it was easy to forget there was a game on at Anfield on Sunday.

And for good reason did Jurgen Klopp make a point afterwards of highlighting the performance and attitude of his team while outlining the prospect of even more success to come for this evolving Liverpool team.

In that respect, then, the goals that eased the Reds to a comfortable triumph over Wolves were a pointer to the future.

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The first involved Jarell Quansah stepping out of the defence and feeding Harvey Elliott to cross from the right for Alexis Mac Allister to glance a header into the bottom corner.

Elliott finished with 11 assists for the season with all bar one having come from February onwards. The 21-year-old has now found his level and will surely have a big part to play under the new regime.

Mac Allister has proven the success of last summer’s transfer business, a midfielder with class, vision and tenacity who can be the beating heart of Liverpool’s engine room for years to come. And he knows where the goal is, this his seventh of the campaign. The Reds need more transfer business like the Argentine over the coming months.

Quansah, meanwhile, has been this campaign’s breakthrough Academy star, on form the preferred partner to Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence. And the centre-back was on hand to prod home Liverpool's second from close range after Mohamed Salah’s shot was deflected from a corner.

It all meant Klopp became the first permanent Reds manager to win his last game in charge since Matt McQueen in February 1926. Even on his very last day, the German continued to defy convention.

More exits to come for Liverpool

Of course, it wasn’t just Jurgen Klopp waving goodbye to Anfield. His departure also prompted the exit of several backroom members, including assistant managers Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders. Both were given warm receptions by the home crowd during the post-match celebration, with long-time goalkeeping coach John Achterberg also afforded a particularly loud ovation.

More generous applause was reserved for two departing players, with Liverpool having on Friday confirmed the exits of Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip on free transfers.

Thiago’s Anfield career will always be one regarded with a dose of regret given the manner in which, despite all the outrageous talent, his body couldn’t quite cope with the demands of the Premier League. And while Matip wasn’t without his own fitness concerns, his contribution over eight years at the club was duly recognised by the Anfield regulars, with his popularity clear with the jovial actions of his team-mates as he walked the guard of honour.

Thiago and Matip won’t be the only players leaving as new manager Arne Slot – whose appointment was amusingly confirmed by Klopp during his impassioned post-match speech – will look to put his own initial stamp on the squad.

This was the end of an era in more ways than one at Liverpool. The Slot machine is now ready to be fired up.

Order our Jurgen Klopp standalone special worldwide here and read all of our coverage ahead of his emotional departure here