The successful coach is entering his final months with the “Reds”. Now the 56-year-old has taken a stand on a “problem” – in clear words.
There are still twelve games left in the Premier League, plus the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday, and Liverpool FC is also still there in the FA Cup and the Europa League – but: Coach Jürgen Klopp’s term in office is coming to an end after his announced resignation end to. There aren’t too many games left in which the 56-year-old will be on the Reds’ sidelines.
And Klopp wants to enjoy it to the fullest. Also with his usual emotional cheering – regardless of whether he was criticized for his exuberant emotional outbursts. “You do it for yourself and your people. What the world thinks about it – I don’t give a damn, to be honest,” Klopp said ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final against Chelsea.
“This is for us and no one else”
The reason for Klopp’s comments: Coach Mikel Arteta of title rivals Arsenal was criticized for his unbridled celebration after the 3-1 win in the top game against Liverpool at the beginning of February – the Spaniard exchanged high-fives with fans of his team after the final goal. Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard also drew criticism after he took a team photographer’s camera and took a photo of him on the pitch.
Klopp himself recently celebrated with the fans at Anfield Road after the 4-1 win against Luton Town last Wednesday – in typical Klopp style.
“Everyone can do whatever they want,” said Klopp. “This is for us and no one else. Whoever likes it, likes it, and whoever doesn’t like it, doesn’t like it. Make of my cheer what you will.”
Liverpool still has the best chance of ending the season with at least one title and thus a picture-perfect farewell for Klopp. In the Premier League, the “Reds” are currently four points ahead of their rivals Manchester City, who, however, have one less game under their belt, with 60 points. This Sunday it’s against Chelsea for the League Cup, next Wednesday against Southampton in the 5th round of the FA Cup for progress. In the Europa League the club will face Sparta Prague in the round of 16.