Jurgen Klopp admits it’s been ‘the most intense week of my life’ during his final Liverpool press conference… as Reds boss takes time to reminisce on his favourite Anfield moments and the letters that reduced him to tears
Jurgen Klopp has admitted it has been ‘the most intense week of my life’ as he prepares to take charge of Liverpool for the final time on Sunday.
The Reds boss will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season after nine years at the club and will face the Anfield crowd for the final time when they host Wolves.
It promises to be an emotional match for the Liverpool boss and the club’s fan base. Before the match, Klopp admitted it was not a ‘normal week’.
Speaking in his final pre-match press conference, Klopp said: ‘The most intense week of my life.
‘Great moments already, we don’t have to pretend it’s a normal week, because it isn’t. I am a very pragmatic person. I said it’s the last game and then vacation, business as usual.
Jurgen Klopp admitted it was ‘the most intense week of my life’ ahead of his final match
The German will take charge of Liverpool for the last time on Sunday, when they host Wolves
‘Yesterday we had a barbecue here with the players. The day before with the staff of Chapel St. It’s a lot. Saying goodbye is never fun. But to say goodbye without being sad would mean that the time we spent together wasn’t great.’
Earlier this week, Klopp was spotted at Anfield preparing to say goodbye to the club he has managed for nine years.
The 56-year-old was pictured standing in the center circle and alone in the stands, with fans on social media suggesting he was filming a farewell video ahead of his final match in charge.
Just days later, the club shared a video of the German at Anfield, along with all the staff he has worked with at the club.
Looking back on the video, Klopp said during his press conference: ‘It was a staff event, I loved it.
‘I would never stand in an empty stadium unless I was asked to. I hope it is not the image of my time, that I am only allowed to stand in the stadium dressed up! It felt strange. When will you find Anfield alone?’
The German then took time to reflect on some of his best memories while in charge of the Reds, including his favorite match and the best goal scored for the side.
Klopp claimed his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Man City was his favorite game of his tenure
The Reds put in a dominant performance against the champions despite being held to a draw
He explained: “I would say the best football we ever played was against Manchester City this season, that day we played the best we had.
‘We had won before and played well, but we had never controlled a game against City before. Those are my favorite 60 minutes.
‘Most spectacular Barcelona, best goal Alisson, best assist Trent Alexander-Arnold, best save Alisson v Napoli, best backheel goal Sadio Mane’.
The German also claimed their Carabao Cup win earlier this season was his ‘favorite final’.
He explained: “I said it after the game, it was my favorite final we’ve ever played considering the circumstances we’re in.
‘We all know how people see the Carabao Cup, but at that moment it was absolutely fantastic. It showed everything this club stands for.
“From a club point of view it was the best night of our lives because you want the kids to be involved.
‘Everyone knew that the Academy coaches had done a very good job. It was a fantastic evening, I will never forget it.’
Klopp, who joined the club in October 2015, subsequently reflected on his bond with the fans and revealed that recent letters left him ‘in tears’.
He said: ‘I’m trying to explain why people like me so much. I don’t understand it well. We’ve never really disappointed them.
‘The club is special, the club means the world to so many people. Emails, letters, if I answer them all I’ll be here until 2028. My apologies.
He admitted their Carabao Cup win this year was his ‘favourite final’ as Liverpool boss
‘I couldn’t sort the tickets before the last match, there were a lot of requests. LFC TV let me read letters yesterday. At one I burst into tears.’
Despite his success at Liverpool over the past decade, the Reds will not have the fairytale ending they might have hoped for for the outgoing Klopp.
Although they won the Carabao Cup – after a dramatic extra-time win over Chelsea – they will miss out on the Premier League title after a dramatic defeat in recent weeks.
Klopp’s side also suffered frustration in the Champions League and FA Cup, being knocked out in the quarter-finals of both competitions.
Liverpool already have a replacement for Klopp lined up, with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot ready to take charge.
Klopp’s team has suffered from frustrations in the Champions League, the FA Cup and the competition this year
Earlier this month, Slot said he would like to speak to Klopp for advice once it is officially confirmed he will take the job.
I think it is normal that when you go to a new club, you contact the current coach,” the 45-year-old said after Feyenoord’s 5-0 win over PEC Zwolle.
‘I also did that at Feyenoord. It’s normal, with all the knowledge someone has from working at the club for a few years, or nine in this case, that you would contact them.
‘But other than that I know his assistant Pep Lijnders quite well. If there is an official confirmation, it would be strange if I didn’t call him.’