Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that he had to “pull himself together” for the 5-2 FA Cup victory over Norwich at Anfield today.
It was Klopp’s first game at Anfield since the announcement that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Every corner of the ground serenaded their icon throughout as Liverpool set up a fifth-round tie against either Watford or Southampton.
Klopp was warmed by the reception but said the fans should not be “thinking just about the manager.” He has urged them to shift the focus away from his impending departure and instead give their energy to the players on the pitch, with Liverpool hoping Klopp’s send-off will be one for the ages as they remain in contention for four trophies.
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “I’m so glad that Jurgen is a Red” was belted around the stadium for the entirety of the game and Klopp said it was difficult to contain his emotions.
“It’s emotional but I have to pull myself together. I received all the messages. I’m not made of wood,” said Klopp. It was a top performance from everybody involved, really good.
“We could have passed a little but with more purpose, direction and being quicker in the way we scored two goals but conceded a set-piece goal. But it is clear when you are as dominant as we are, if we improve in some departments, we create more chances.”
Liverpool were also boosted by the return of some key individuals. Andy Robertson came off the bench for his first appearance since October after he dislocated his shoulder whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai also returned from injury.
“It was very important that we could give them minutes. Trent and Dom were not that long out but Robbo was out for a long time and each minute they could get is really important and here it helped to share intensity,” Klopp added.
“We played pretty good without them, so it is about how we are playing. We have to make sure we are the one team Chelsea does not want to play against and Arsenal doesn’t want to play against.”
