“We know we can win more titles, but I can’t change that,” Klopp said on May 17 at a press conference before the match against Wolves, when asked about regrets at Liverpool.
Klopp at the press conference before his final match as Liverpool coach. Photo: liverpoolfc.com
On January 26, Klopp announced his farewell to Liverpool after the 2023-2024 season ended because he was running out of energy and affirmed that he would not lead any other club in the Premier League. In more than eight years leading Liverpool, the German coach won eight titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, English Super Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and two English League Cups.
Under Klopp, Liverpool reached the Champions League finals twice in 2018 and 2022 but lost to Real Madrid. The team also lost in the finals of the Europa League and the English League Cup in 2016. In the Premier League, Liverpool finished second twice, one point behind Man City, in the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 seasons.
“We could also have won fewer titles. Losing the Premier League title by one point is not a great experience, but it is an experience. I couldn’t do anything else in that moment,” Klopp said. more.
Klopp considers Liverpool reaching the Champions League final three times an outstanding achievement, but also regrets that he only won one match. “Real always finds a way to win and we tried again,” he expressed. “I wouldn’t be happy if I thought I could do more. I can’t do more. Can someone else do better? Maybe. But not me, and I’m fine with that.” .
The last title of Klopp’s reign came in February, when Liverpool beat Chelsea in the League Cup final at Wembley thanks to Virgil Van Dijk’s header in the 118th minute. In this match, Liverpool was without 11 first-team players and Klopp must use many young players. Therefore, the 56-year-old coach considers winning the Confederation Cup this year to be the most special mark in his coaching career.
Coach Jurgen Klopp lifted the League Cup after defeating Chelsea 1-0 with Liverpool in the final at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2024. Photo: AFP
“It was my favorite final with Liverpool,” Klopp said. “We knew the League Cup was underrated, but at the time it felt absolutely outstanding. That win showed Liverpool’s stature. That night, the whole team created something real. special. A wonderful night, and one I will never forget.”
Klopp admits the week leading up to tomorrow’s match against Wolves were the most intense days of his life. “Yesterday, the players said goodbye,” he said. “We had a barbecue. Of course I had emotional moments. I don’t know how many shirts I signed. The time with the players was wonderful, but also very difficult.”
On May 17, Liverpool announced that defender Joel Matip and midfielder Thiago Alcantara will leave the club at the end of the season when their contracts expire. This means that the match against Wolves will be the farewell for Klopp, Matip and Thiago.
