Jurgen Klopp's long farewell leaves Liverpool in state of euphoric melancholy (2024)

Speaking to Sky Sports: “I thought it might be more sad in the beginning but when people realise, it’s all good. Honestly.

“If I carry on, these guys and others will say ‘he’s been there too long.’ You have to be the spark. I love the squad. There is so much potential. They will make changes here and there.

“I’m sure you will all agree there does not need an overhaul. We finished third. We were ahead of schedule. It’s a statement in this strong league and I’m absolutely fine with that.

“There has been such a long lead-up to this day and it was really intense. I had my bad moments as well but thank God not today. I’m just thankful for what happens. When you are in it, you forget sometimes how great it is. You take it for granted. Now I stand here, I’m just so happy I’m a part of the club’s history. It’s wonderful.

“It’s so super special that it’s difficult to explain. We live in a world where it’s all about results for others. We learn that not getting absolutely everything is fine. It’s such a massive lesson for life. It’s not about that, it’s about the journey and the togetherness and that’s what I love. Things might not always go perfect.

“The other clubs, with the most money and the best managers, they win it. We didn’t have the best manager and never had the best team but for a while we played the best football and I love that. We are a rock solid club and don’t overspend. People say ‘you didn’t spend enough’. What the heck do you want? I just understand this from the Liverpool way.”

“Thank you. If you sing that song next year that would be funny.

“It doesn’t feel like an end. It just feels like a start. Today I saw a football team play full of talent, youth, creativity, desire, greed. That’s one part of development, that’s what you need obviously.

“In these few weeks where I have had too much attention, I realised a lot of things. People say I turned them from doubters into believers. That’s not true. You did it. Nobody tells you to stop believing. This club is in a better moment than a long time.

“We have this wonderful stadium, training centre and you - the superpower of world football. Wow.

“We decide if we are worried or excited. We decide if we believe. We decide if we trust or don’t trust. Today I am one of you and I keep believing. I stay believing 100% per cent.

“Obviously I saw a lot of people crying and I will tonight too because I will miss people but change is good. Everything will be fine because the basics are 100 per cent there.

“You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me. You go all in from the first day. You keep believing. You push teh team. I’m one of you now. I love you to bits.

“Thank you. You are the best team in the world. Thank you!”

“I’m surprised. I thought I’d already be in pieces but I’m not. I’m so happy about you all, the atmosphere, the game, being a part of this family and about us, how we celebrate this day. Thank you so much!

“One of the Manchester City games we drew... That would have helped, huh?

“Thanks for ignoring my request not to sing my song for six weeks!”

(The crowd starts singing his song and Klopp smiles and pauses his speech).

Brentford 2 Newcastle 4

Burnley 1 Nottingham Forest 2

Chelsea 2 Bournemouth 1

Crystal Palace 5 Aston Villa 0

Liverpool 2 Wolves 0

Luton 2 Fulham 4

Sheffield United 0 Tottenham 3

Brentford 0 Newcastle 3

Burnley 0 Nottingham Forest 2

Chelsea 1 Bournemouth 0

Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 0

Liverpool 2 Wolves 0

Luton 1 Fulham 2

Sheffield United 0 Tottenham 1

Goalless and pretty pointless, the first half at the Amex has gone largely as you might expect: two teams with little to play for doing little.

Adam Lallana had a header cleared off the line by Lisandro Martinez, and Scott McTominay showed us what being a false nine means by blasting a neatly created chance so far over the bar it endangered a passing seagull. Apart from that, well let’s just say, it’s not the exhibition of glorious football Roberto De Zerbi might have hoped for his farewell.

Adama Traore gave the visitors the lead at Kenilworth Road but moments later Carlton Morris levels from the spot.

Moments later...Jimenez restores Fulham’s lead! Crazy scenes.

There was talk before the match on whether Wolves could upset the celebrations, rather like Jeremy Goss did for Norwich in 1994 in the final match in front of a standing Kop. But there will be no upset there.

Liverpool are cruising now at 2-0 and Anfield is in celebration mode. Jarell Quansah’sgoal was his second in as many games. He tapped in after Mohamed Salah’s shot was deflected towards goal.

VAR intervening to the disadvantage of Wolves again...oh the irony.

Not that they can moan about that one mind.

Nelson Semedo has put in a horror challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. He gets a yellow but Chris Kavanagh gets told to go to his pitchside monitor - it is a red card.

Mac Allister is going to try and run this off. His ankle took a proper crunch there.

Brentford 0 Newcastle 1

Burnley 0 Nottingham Forest 2

Chelsea 1 Bournemouth 0

Crystal Palace 1 Aston Villa 0

Liverpool 0 Wolves 0

Luton 0 Fulham 0

Sheffield United 0 Tottenham 1

Klopp is usually bouncing around the technical area during matches but he has been sat down for most of the time so far. He’s taking it in. Fans are running through their songbook saluting the players who have played under Klopp.

There is nothing riding on the game (it is still 0-0 by the way). Hwang Hee Chan had a good chance when Wolves broke, with Alisson saving.

A stunner from Caidedo! He’s scored from the half-way line as Bournemouth keeper Neto gambled coming out of this box.

What. A. Finish. It’s Caicedo’s Beckham moment.

Some strange solidarity between the two sets of supporters here at Turf Moor.

Forest’s fans are chanting x-rated songsaboutthe Premier League and VAR, and on both occasionsthe home supporters joinedin.

And just as I type that, Forest have a second Chris Wood goal upheld aftera VAR review, despite an initial offside call!

“VAR, VAR, VAR,” is the predictable chant.

Not much happening. So the Brighton fans have warmed themselves up with a resounding chant of Roberto De Zerbi’s name. The Italian, whose bags are apparently already packed, graciouslywaves back to all four corners of the stadium.

In the directors box, the owner Tony Bloom, whose approach to succession means he probably has his next five managers lined up, smiles benevolently.

GOOOAAALLLLL! It’s Mateta again – what form that man is in. There is a VAR check...we’ll keep you posted.

It stands...

Burnley have now conceded in 20 consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since 2011.

Former striker Chris Wood provided the clinical finish for Nottingham Forest after just 78 seconds, with his 13th league goal of the season.

Those poor defensive statistics are a damning indictment on Burnley, who are already preparing for another 46-game slog in the Championship next season.

You can follow our dedicated coverage of the battle for the Premier League title HERE...

One of the sprinklers at the visitors end of the Amex has gone off kilter and is firing a steady spray into the Manchester United supporters. For once, it must be a welcome cooling as it is really hot on the south coast.

Unlike the game, which is about as tepid as last day games go. For Brighton the most significant jeopardy is whether they finish below Crystal Palace. For United fans much of the conversation centres on wondering if Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford might well begin and endwith defeat to Brighton.

Anfield was packed 10 minutes before kick-off and Klopp gets a standing ovation when his name is read out by the public announcer. The huge “tifo” banner goes across the Kop end - Our Club, Our Crest, Our Life.

Among the other banners at Anfield there is one railing against VAR, saying the fas have made their decisions that it is not wanted.

A decent contingent of German supporters in Borussia Dortmund strips are sitting in Anfield’s Main Stand. Having already witnessed one hyper-emotional Klopp farewell from the Bundesliga in 2015, they must have a passion for romantic endings.

This one could rival Humphrey Bogart putting Ingrid Bergman on the plane in the final scene of Casablanca.

Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports: “This morning I woke up and I was completely in game mode.

“We had a normal team meeting and the 60,000 here and the few million watching deserve that.

“People call it the last dance, so let’s dance!

“I am in game mode, we drove in here and it was ridiculous. I am happy that the people are happy, but my role in all that in the last few weeks have been difficult to get through.

“I might be emotional today but we will see, after the game will be the most tricky part as then it’s definitely over.”

Chelsea’s ownership group have written a full-page message to supporters in today’s matchday programme.

In it, they set out their aims which are listed as: Consistently winning or contending for the Premier League and Women’s Super League titles.

Consistently playing in the Champions League and competing for domestic cups. Consistently competing for titles across the youth age groups.

Developing and discovering the next generation of footballing talent for the benefit of the club. Being responsible actors and contributors to our community, while meeting Financial Fair Play and other regulatory requirements. Earning the trust and confidence of our supporters.

Not much to ask then!

Jurgen Klopp has just stepped foot on the pitch at Anfield to a huge ovation from those in the stadium. He tips his baseball cap at the fans and pumps his fist at his heart.

It could be an emotional day. Flares were let off outside in the farewell celebration. The match itself seems irrelevant....but Klopp has picked Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo as his forwards in his final match as Liverpool manager.

Andy Roberston on Jurgen Klopp: “I think the biggest lesson I have learned from the boss is just to try and improve every single day.

“I think that’s what he tries to say to all of us, every day is a chance to improve, a chance to get better in yourself as a person and as a footballer and I think we’ve taken that on board and as players, we’ve made that a culture here.

“Then when new signings and young players come up to train with us, I think they buy into that – but it all starts with the manager and his coaching staff.”

Party atmosphere here at a gloriously hot Turf Moor, despite both clubs enduring excruciating seasons.

Many of Forest’s supporters are dressed up as referees, complete with clown noses and wigs. Some of them have even got masks of Gary Neville.

It’s all a comedy protest against the perceived poor refereeing Forest have suffered this season.

Neville, the Sky Sports pundit, also irritated Forest with his remarks after the contentious defeat at Everton last month which sparked off THAT infamous social media post.

Burnley are already down, and it will require a 12-goal swing for Forest to join them in the Championship next season.

After such a miserable year, Forest are probably preparing for the unexpected...

Thiago Silva might not have quite reached legend status at Stamford Bridge but he was part of the Champions League-winning side of 2021 and has been a stalwart during a tough couple of seasons at the club.

Today will be final game for Chelsea.

Burnley XI

Muric; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Taylor; Bruun Larsen, Cullen, Berge, Amdouni; Odobert, Foster.

Subs: Trafford, Cork, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Rodriguez, Ekdal, Vitinho, Fofana, Massengo.

Nottingham Forest XI

Sels; Montiel, Boly, Murillo, Toffolo; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Subs: Turner, Sangare, Kouyate, Awoniyi, Niakhate, Reyna, Origi, Omobamidele, Ribeiro.

Luton XI

Kaminski, Osho, Mengi, Hashioka, Doughty, Clark, Lokonga, Ogbene, Chong, Morris, Adebayo.

Subs: Shea, Krul, Berry, Woodrow, Mpanzu, Townsend, Onyedinma, Johnson, Piesold.

Fulham XI

Leno, Tete, Ream, Bassey, Robinson, Iwobi, Palhinha, Reed, Wilson, Adama, Jimenez.

Subs: Rodak, Broja, Cairney, Ballo-Touré, De Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Muniz, Willian, Castagne.

Crystal Palace XI

Henderson, Clyne, Anderson, Richards, Munoz, Wharton, Guehi, Mitchell, Olise, Eze, Mateta.

Subs: Matthews, Ward, Tomkins, Lerma, Ayew, Schlupp, Edouard, Riedewald, Ozoh.

Aston Villa XI

Olsen, Konsa, Diego Carlos, Dhuran, Digne, Chambers, Douglas Luiz, Lenglet, Diaby, McGinn, Watkins.

Subs: Gauci, Pau, Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam, Emery Fernandez, Munroe, Kellyman, Young

Sheffield Utd XI

Foderingham, Bogle, Robinson, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Lowe, Hamer, Osborn, Arblaster, Brereton-Diaz, Archer.

Spurs XI

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr, Johnson, Maddison, Son.

Brighton XI

Steele, Igor, Webster, Pedro, Gross, Lallana, Moder, Welbeck, Barco, Baleba, Adingra.

Subs: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Enciso, Gilmour, Fati, Buonanotte, Offiah, Peupion, Baker-Boaitey.

Manchester United XI

Onana, Amrabat, Martínez, Fernandes, Diallo, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay.

Subs: Bayindir, Rashford, Hojlund, Eriksen, Varane, Antony, Evans, Kambwala, Collyer.

Brentford XI

Flekken, Roerslev, Jorgensen, Pinnock, Reguilon, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa

Subs: Valdimarsson, Maupey, Schade, Ghoddos, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Trevitt, Yarmoluik, Konak

Newcastle XI

Pope, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Hall, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, J Murphy, Isak, Barnes

Subs: Dubravka, Trippier, Wilson, Ritchie, Almiron, Andersen, White, A Murphy

Chelsea XI

Petrovic, Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Gallagher, Caicedo, Sterling, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson.

Subs: Bettinelli, Disasi, Ugochukwu, Chukwuemeka, Nkunku, Colwill, Gusto, Casadei, Gilchrist.

Bounemouth XI

Neto, Kerkez, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Tavernier, Aarons, Christie, Cook, sem*nyo, Kluivert, Unal.

Subs: Travers, Kelly, Solanke, Ouattara, Scott, Smith, Hill, Billing, Faivre.

Liverpool XI

Alisson, Endo, Van Dijk, Diaz, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Jones, Jota, Gravenberch, Bradley.

Wolves XI

Sa, Ait-Nouri, S Bueno, Lemina, Gomes, Hwang, Cunha, Semedo, Kilman, Toti, Bellegarde.

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Traore, Neto, H Bueno, Doyle, Gonzalez, Chirewa, Fraser.

Arsenal and Man City have their own battle going on at the top, which we are covering exclusively the very capable hands of Rob Bagchi.

Here you can expect updates from the following final-day fixtures:

• Brentford vs Newcastle
• Burnley vs Nottingham Forest
• Chelsea vs Bournemouth
• Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
• Liverpool vs Wolves
• Luton vs Fulham
• Sheffield United vs Tottenham

...let’s just run through the various scenarios for European qualification this afternoon.

Tottenham

Spurs have missed out on a place in the Champions League, but are close to securing fifth and a spot in the Europa League.

A draw at Sheffield United would secure that fifth but if Spurs lose, they must hope Chelsea fail to beat Bournemouth at home, as Chelsea have a better goal difference.

Even if Spurs lose and are overtaken by Chelsea, Ange Postecoglou’s side are still guaranteed a place in Europe next season as they cannot finish lower than sixth.

Chelsea

A draw at home against Bournemouthwould secure a sixth, the final spot that guarantees European football next season.

Chelsea would then have to wait until after the FA Cup final to find out whether they are going into the Europa League or the Conference League.

If Chelsea beat Bournemouth and Spurs lose to Sheff Utd,Pochettino’s side would finish fifth and be certain of a Europa League spot.

Newcastle

Newcastle must win at Brentfordand hope Chelsea lose to Bournemouth. ThenEddie Howe’s side would finish sixth due to having a superior goal difference than Chelsea.

If Newcastle miss out on sixth, they must ensure they finish seventh, above Manchester United - with the sides currently level on points - and then hope that Man City beat Man Utd in the FA Cup final.

In that scenario, Newcastle will earn a place in the Europa Conference League.

By Ian Whittel

Erik ten Hag claims Manchester United are in a better position than they were 12 months ago, despite the club closing in on their worst league campaign in 34 years.

United are currently sitting eighth, on course for their worst finish since coming 13th in 1989-90, when victory in the FA Cup Final saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job. Defeat at Brighton on Sunday would also leave United with their lowest points total – 57 – since they recorded 48 in that campaign.

Ten Hag, who could still match Ferguson’s achievements by winning the FA Cup against Manchester City next weekend, has been hampered by a long and debilitating injury list. Those factors have led him to claim that, with several young players impressing over this season and with a new owner in situ in the form of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, he feels United are in a healthier state than 12 months ago.

“When you look at the results, you would say ‘no’, but we know the reasons behind it,” said Ten Hag. “I would say ‘yes’ because we have more players, we have more high-quality players in the squad and from that perspective we are in a better position.

“I think that we developed some young players with high potential who can really add to the quality levels of our squad. With established, experienced players, they can make a very good mix and be a very strong squad that can compete at the highest level.

“I think that is also what we showed this season against top teams that often we are very competitive.”

Ten Hag’s claims will raise eyebrows, if only for the fact that last season saw United win the League Cup, qualify for the Champions League and lose in the FA Cup final to Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners.

Marcus Rashford, who scored a personal-high 30 goals for United last season, is one of a number of United stars to have suffered a precipitous drop in form this season. He was involved in an angry exchange of words with a supporter before Wednesday’s win over Newcastle, although Ten Hag played down the altercation and warned that players have to ignore such isolated cases of abuse.

“No,” said ten Hag when asked if he had addressed Wednesday’s incident with Rashford. “Not in the specifics.

“But I talk often with the players about this. It happens and you have to deal with it as a player and so one person is not representative for many. So, only one. You have to deal with that – don’t react, don’t respond. Take it and move on with it.

“There were 68,000 fans (against Newcastle) so positive; a great vibe. And so it’s fantastic to play for this club and Marcus knows that.”

The final day is here – but at Anfield it is really here. Jurgen Klopp will walk out this afternoon to manage Liverpool for the final time this afternoon, bringing to an end nine years on Merseyside.

Whether you are a Liverpool fan or not, it is hard to argue with the fact that Klopp has forged a relationship with the club and its fanbase to a depth that few others have in the history of English football.

With that in mind, it is sure to be an emotional afternoon at Anfield – with the manager expected to address the fans in the aftermath of his side’s clash with Wolves.

Away from the small matter of the title race – which you can follow here – the German is nearly certain to take centre stage this afternoon. However, there are seven other games this afternoon, with at least three carrying potential implications for European qualification.

Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle still have the chance to secure European football and thus not losing their respective matches feels of paramount importance.

Manchester United can still mathematically finish sixth but they would need an 11-goal swing with Chelsea – and even more with Newcastle. In reality, their best hope of getting into Europe next season will be beating Man CIty in the FA Cup.