After nine remarkable seasons, Jurgen Klopp's time at Anfield has finally come to an end.
The German manager announced he would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of this season back in late January, and while fans have had months to come to terms with his exit, Anfield was an emotional venue nonetheless following their final game of the season.
The Merseyside giants beat Wolves 2-0 on the final day, thus waving goodbye to Klopp with a win. The 56-year-old also got a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd and was treated to a touching guard of honor during his farewell.
Jurgen Klopp is given a standing ovation at Anfield after his final win as Liverpool boss
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 19, 2024
The final time https://t.co/tclGPiUpkV pic.twitter.com/JqIyLQehjA
A deserved guard of honour #DankeJürgen pic.twitter.com/0LNQfzc2L2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 19, 2024
The German also shared an emotional embrace with Alisson and club captain Virgil van Dijk, two key figures behind their UEFA Champions League and Premier League titles. Additionally, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who went from an academy graduate to one of the best full-backs in world football under Jurgen's tutelage, was seen in tears.
The final full-time whistle #DankeJürgen pic.twitter.com/8m5bUhV9sT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 19, 2024
Trent Alexander-Arnold is left in tears during the final You'll Never Walk Alone of the Jurgen Klopp era pic.twitter.com/tdGROfu8qh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 19, 2024
The departing manager, meanwhile, fought back the tears before eventually picking up the microphone and issuing his parting speech. Klopp also showed his class by singing the chant of incoming manager Arne Slot and encouraging the Anfield crowd to join in — to which they obliged en masse.
3,145 days of Jürgen Klopp putting "all I have – my knowledge, passion, heart, experience, everything – into this club, 100%" is layered on his face in this clip pic.twitter.com/e2gPClXxE4
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) May 19, 2024
KLOPP LEADS LIVERPOOL FANS IN NEW ARNE SLOT CHANT. Never going to be easy to be The Man who follows Der Mann. But classy gesture from Jürgen, making moment bigger than him. What is over/under on how many times Liverpool fans will sing this next season? ARNE SLOT! LA LA LA! pic.twitter.com/QNlonAvoyu
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 19, 2024
And then came the final fist pumps, with the German facing the Kop before throwing six punches into the air as the crowd cheered it all on.
One final time at Anfield...
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 19, 2024
Jurgen Klopp
@JamesPearceLFC pic.twitter.com/NEjSByNIW6
With the 2023-24 Premier League campaign finally coming to an end, English football bids farewell to one of its most iconic managers. Klopp departs Merseyside having won eight titles, if you include the 2020 Community Shield, thus leaving the incoming Arne Slot with some big shoes to fill.