Jurgen Klopp wins emotional final as Liverpool manager

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — In many ways, it was business as usual for Jurgen Klopp.

On his way to the pitch he touched the ‘This is Anfield’ sign in the tunnel.

He patrolled the center of the field during warm-ups with his hands behind his back, looking at his own team – and then, with that trademark look, at his opponents.

He waved to the fans behind the Liverpool dugout and tapped his heart just before kick-off, before taking in the pre-match rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

“This morning I woke up,” Klopp said on Sunday before the final game of his transformative nearly nine-year spell as Liverpool manager, “and I was completely in game mode.”

This was of course not a normal day for Klopp.

The 2-0 win over Wolverhampton on a sunny day at Anfield was also a tribute to a coach who led Liverpool to seven major trophies and forged such a bond with the city that he has been compared to Bill Shankly – the club’s legendary manager from 1959 -74.

No wonder he looked emotional all afternoon while Liverpool fans never wanted to come.

They lined the streets outside Anfield to welcome Klopp and his players, then produced a paper mosaic with the word ‘JURGEN’ in the stands opposite the dugouts.

“People call it The Last Dance. So let’s dance,” he told Sky Sports just off the pitch before the match started – and Liverpool obliged, strolling to a final victory for Klopp thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah.

Klopp hugged all members of his backroom staff as well as Wolves manager Gary O’Neil after the final whistle blew. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was in tears as he hugged Klopp near the center circle.

Liverpool finished third in the standings, nine points behind champions Manchester City.