Liverpool,
Sunday, 19 May, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Jurgen Klopp led the Anfield crowd in a chant for new Liverpool manager Arne Slot as he made an emotional farewell speech to his adoring fans.
The German took charge of the Reds for the last time in his brilliant nine-year stint on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Wolves.
It was a moving day at Anfield as the fans and players said goodbye to the iconic manager, but he quickly encouraged them all to support the man who is coming in to replace him.
Dutchman Slot is leaving Feyenoord for Liverpool and after listening to the supporters sing his name to the tune of Opus’ Live Is Life, he suggested the fans swap his name for the new manager’s.
‘I saw a lot of people crying and it will happen to me tonight because I will miss people, that is clear,’ he said in a speech on the pitch.
‘But as well, change is good. We don’t know exactly what to expect, but if you move with the right attitude everything will be fine because the basics are 100 per cent there and that’s the team and the new manager.
‘You don’t give a s**t what I want you to sing, I know. But I have an idea. I heard the song today a few times, so let’s see how the response will be. Arne Slot! Na, na, na, na na.’
Starting his speech to the Anfield fans, Klopp said: ‘I’m so happy I can’t believe it. I’m so happy about you all, about the atmosphere, about the game, about being part of this family. About us! How we celebrated this day, it’s just incredible, thank you so much!
‘It doesn’t feel like an end, it feels like a start because today I saw a football team playing full of talent, full of youth, full of creativity, full of desire.
‘That’s one part of development, that’s what you need obviously. People told me that I turned them from doubters into believers, that’s not true, believing is an active act, you have to do it yourself. I just said you had to, but you did it, that’s a big difference.
‘Nobody tells you now to stop you believing. This club is now in a better moment since a long time. We have this wonderful stadium, wonderful training centre and you [the fans], the super power of world football!
‘We decide if we are worried of excited. We decide if we believe or we don’t trust. We decide if we trust or don’t trust. Since today I am one of you and I keep believing in you. I stay a believer 100 per cent.’
The game was about as routine as it could have been for Klopp on his last day in charge of the team, with his side running out very comfortable winners.
Nelson Semedo’s straight red card for a lunge on Alexis Mac Allister helped the home side out and they were 2-0 ahead by half-time.
Mac Allister headed home the first to put the Reds ahead on 34 minutes, before Jarell Quansah bundled home a second six minutes later.
The second half saw Liverpool miss a string of good chances to extend their lead, while Wolves also had opportunities but never really looked like ruining Klopp’s day.