LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp prepares for “super-emotional” day at Anfield
The club has confirmed that Roberto Firmino, James Milner and others will leave Liverpool at the end of this season.
Liverpool host in-form Aston Villa on Saturday in a match that could be decisive in both sides’ push for European qualification.
The hosts come into the game off the back of seven consecutive wins, while Villa have been one of the best teams in the league sine Unai Emery took over earlier this year.
It’s a tantalising game, but one which will come with more than a touch of sadness for those inside Anfield on Saturday. This weekend is the penultimate matchday of the season and Liverpool’s final home fixture, meaning that it is the last chance for the Anfield crowd to thank four players who are leaving Merseyside this summer.
In his press conference on Friday, Jurgen Klopp praised Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for their service to the club.
“This game is super-difficult for different reasons,” the Liverpool boss said. “It’s super-important for us and it’s kind of super-emotional as well for different reasons because we really say goodbye to, from my point of view, four Liverpool legends.”
“All four won pretty much each available trophy and we love them. That’s true as well but it’s professional football and nothing is forever, nothing is for eternity, that’s how it is.”
Klopp-era stalwarts depart
Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015 and set about transforming the underachieving side into one of Europe’s elite teams. Firmino and Milner were a part of the team that he took over and both became key figures in the success that would follow.
They are the two players used most frequently by Klopp across his managerial career: Firmino with 353 appearances and Milner just behind on 321.
Klopp paid special tribute to the two stalwarts in his press conference on Friday.
“I think in the last seven-and-a-half years, Bobby and Millie, if you don’t know yet what I think about them then you just have to go back and read it,” Klopp said.
“My English is not good enough to really express my respect for them.”
“You can imagine Bobby, my God, how much I love the guy, and that he has the Bobby Firmino song and stuff like this is 100% deserved. But we have time if we want until Monday to give them all the farewell they deserve, that’s really important.”
Liverpool are expected to delve into the transfer market this summer to refresh a squad that has looked stale at points this season. Liverpool fans may be sad to see some club legends depart, but Klopp has insisted that they will be remembered.
“There is always a moment and it’s a good moment because it means one chapter will be closed and we can start writing a new one – that’s good as well, for them and for us. But there will be no forgetting from us, 100% not.”