Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. Premier League.
AnfieldAttendance60,059.
Report and free highlights as goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah wrapped up the Jurgen Klopp era; Anfield serenaded their departing boss in a celebratory atmosphere; Liverpool finish the season third in the Premier League
Sunday 19 May 2024 20:45, UK
Jurgen Klopp signed off as Liverpool boss with a 2-0 win over Wolves as his legendary tenure came to an end at an emotional Anfield.
Klopp's 491st and final game in charge of Liverpool was played to the backdrop of Anfield sunshine and his team performed with the intensity associated with his unique style of football.
Alexis Mac Allister headed the opener before Jarell Quansah bundled home a second before half-time. It was fitting that Klopp's men created a bulky 5.20 worth of expected goals as they created chance after chance but couldn't quite find further goals.
Liverpool's task was made easier by Nelson Semedo's sending-off on 28 minutes for a foul on Mac Allister that was upgraded from a yellow to a red card by VAR.
Klopp has guided Liverpool to a third place finish this season in the Premier League, meaning he's finished in the top three in five of last six seasons and leaves Anfield with the highest win percentage - 62 per cent - of any Liverpool manager in charge for more than 30 matches.
Even though there were tears at Anfield, the atmosphere was nothing but celebratory, summed up by Klopp smiling throughout the final rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" pre-match.
"This is the season we aimed for the moon and ended up in the stars," Klopp wrote in his programme notes.
"This is a club that is ready to take the journey in a new and exciting direction, not one that is ready for the journey to come to an end."
Klopp is leaving incoming Feyenoord boss Arne Slot with plenty to work with but trying to replace this cult-hero at Anfield is almost the impossible job. His side were electric for large parts of this match in attack, especially after Wolves were reduced to 10-men after 28 minutes.
Semedo was sent off for an over-the-top challenge on Mac Allister after VAR David Coote advised referee Chris Kavanagh to view the pitchside monitor.
Wolves want Premier League clubs to vote this summer on abolishing VAR and Gary O'Neil was seen remonstrating with the fourth official over the decision.
Mac Allister then got the party started, rising highest to head home Harvey Elliott's inswinging cross.
Mohamed Salah then kept a chance alive at the far post and his shot deflected into the air for Quansah to force the ball home on the line.
A second half avalanche of goals was expected but Liverpool slipped back to their wayward ways in front of goal as Luis Diaz turned Gakpo's cross onto the crossbar, rebounding down onto the line and away to safety.
Gakpo and Mac Allister also had chances in a second-half as Liverpool had 15 shots to an expected goals figure of 2.74 after the break but couldn't find the net.
It mattered little though as the Anfield faithful sang their hearts out in an emotional farewell to their beloved boss.
Jurgen Klopp speaking at Anfield: "I'm completely surprised - I thought I was already in pieces, but I am so happy. I can't believe it, about you all, the atmosphere, 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. Today, I saw a football team playing full of desire. That's one part of development. That's what you need.
"This attention is uncomfortable but in this time I realise some things. People told me that I turned them from doubters into believers - but that isn't true. We have this stadium, training centre and you - the super power of world football!"
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"This has probably never been seen at a club before. You have such great success that the memories last a life time. They will never forget you.
"To be manager over 20 years and to never be sacked, or lose your job, it shows the relationships he's built.
"He created the best team in world football over a two year period. The only team to break Man City in a season. The title was won in November - that's how special it was. He created it."
Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:
"So, just like that, Jurgen Klopp is no longer a Premier League manager. The league will miss him just as much as the Liverpool fans will.
"Not many people in the world have the confidence and authority that Klopp possesses - something which was on full show when he took the microphone to speak to his people at full-time.
"They hung on his every word. Laughed at all his jokes. And sang his name when asked to do so. It's no wonder that players play for him and have complete buy-in to his style of football, which was on full show in his swansong at Anfield. Playing against 10-men aided their cause but they gave Wolves a pummelling when assessing the underlying numbers, posting 36 shots to an expected goals tally of 5.24 - the second highest xG figure a team has registered this season. The most was of course the extraordinary 7.11 Klopp's Liverpool created in the win over Newcastle.
"Klopp's football is still thriving. This Liverpool squad is still packed full of potential. So, why is he leaving again? It feels premature - surely Liverpool are going to be worse off without him. His boots are unfillable."
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil speaking on the Semedo red card: "Hopefully we get some better officials [next year]. The game is in a bad place. The referee gives a yellow card and VAR can't even pause it at the right place - it looks really high where they pause it and if you play it a few frames longer Semedo goes down on his foot.
"Even if could be a red card, it's not clear and obvious. The referee thinks it a yellow so I don't see why VAR has to get involved. I don't understand it. So if you are going to get involved, why don't you look at the Cunha penalty? But they didn't get involved.
"I'm proud of the players and it's a great day for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp but unfortunately people will just think I'm moaning about VAR but it's funny how I get asked about it so much. The level [of refereeing] has been below what we expect and what we need it to be in the Premier League."
The 2023/24 season has reached its conclusion but planning has already started for the new campaign.
Several Premier League sides have confirmed pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2024/25 term, which kicks off on the weekend of August 17/18, while others have given fresh kits an early airing.
The Premier League fixtures - all 380 of them - will be released at 9am on Tuesday, June 18, with full coverage on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports' digital platforms.
The new EFL season starts on the weekend of August 10/11 and marks the launch of Sky Sports+, giving more choice to sports fans via live streams and a new dedicated channel, at no extra cost. In a broadcasting first, every EFL game across all three divisions - the Championship, League One and League Two - will be streamed live on the opening weekend.
Stand by for another busy summer in the transfer window - clubs can do business from June 14 until August 30 and the Sky Sports Transfer Centre will keep you posted with all the latest news and rumours.
Euro 2024 is just weeks away, too. Keep track of England's Euro fixtures, check out the full tournament schedule in Germany and join us on skysports.com or the Sky Sports app to follow every game with our live match blogs.
