Jurgen Klopp delivered an emotional speech to the Anfield crowd after leading Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in his final match as the club's head coach.
Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah scored the goals on Sunday afternoon, as Liverpool ensured that Klopp's send-off would be a happy one in terms of the final result.
Liverpool ultimately fell short in terms of the title race, finishing third in the table, nine points behind the champions Manchester City, while they were also eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The Reds did win the EFL Cup earlier this year, though, with Klopp securing a trophy in his final season at the helm.
After the clash with Wolves, Klopp spoke to the Liverpool supporters and insisted that they should be looking ahead to a bright future following their team.
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Mac Allister, Quansah register in victory over Wolves
"I'm completely surprised, I thought I'm already in pieces, to be honest, but I'm not. I'm so happy, I can't believe it," Klopp said as he addressed the crowd on the Anfield pitch.
"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 just feels like the start because I saw today a football team playing full of talent, full of youth, full of creativity, full of desire, full of greed. That's one part of development, that's what you need obviously.
"But obviously since a few weeks I get absolutely too much attention, it feels really uncomfortable. But in this time I realised a lot of things. People told me that I turned them from doubters to believers. That's not true. Believing is an active act: you have to do it yourself. I just said we have to. You did it. That's a big difference.
"And nobody tells you now to stop believing. Because this club is in a better moment than ever? Maybe ever – I have to ask Kenny [Dalglish]! Since a long time, let me say it like that.
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Slot is replacing Klopp as head coach
"We have this wonderful stadium, we have this wonderful training centre. We have you – the superpower of world football. Wow.
"We decide if we are worried or excited. We decide if we believe or don't believe. We decide if we trust or we don't trust. And since today I'm one of you and I keep believing in you. I stay a believer, 100%.
"I'm one of you now. I love you to bits. On my jumper is 'Thank you Luv' and 'I will never walk alone again'. Thank you for that! You are the best people in the world. Thank you!"
Arne Slot is leaving Feyenoord to replace Klopp at Liverpool, with the 45-year-old tasked with leading the Merseyside giants into a new era.
The Reds won 24, drew 10 and lost four of their 38 league matches this season to collect 82 points, while they scored 86 times and conceded 41.
Matt Law
