Who said what: Liverpool stars lead emotional tributes to Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai have penned tributes to departing manager Jurgen Klopp. Former Reds captain Jordan Henderson also expressed his gratitude towards the German.
Klopp drew a curtain on his nine-year tenure as Liverpool boss with a 2-0 Premier League win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, May 20. Emotional scenes followed as the manager bid farewell to Anfield with a touching speech and his trademark fist-pumps.
Reds captain Van Dijk cut an emotional figure after the game and was reduced to tears as he embraced Klopp on the pitch. The Netherlands international later took to social media to pen a moving tribute to the departing manager.
"To the boss. Thank you for everything you have done for me, my family & for this football club. It's hard to put into words what you mean to us all but we'll be forever grateful, what a journey we had together. YNWA," Van Dijk wrote.
Vice-captain Alexander-Arnold, who was handed his senior debut by Klopp in October 2016, could also not control his emotions on the pitch. Ahead of the game, the right-back posted a video of some of his moments with the manager along with the caption: "Thank you, Gaffer".
Szoboszlai joined his teammates in thanking Klopp as he wrote:
"It was an honor, Boss!"
It was not just the current crop of Liverpool players who are devastated to see the former Borussia Dortmund manager leave. Henderson, who led the team to Premier League glory in 2020, posted a tribute of his own.
"Thank you for everything Boss," Henderson's Instagram caption read.
Former Reds midfielder Adam Lallana, meanwhile, reacted to Henderson's post with a heart emoji.
What next for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp?
A celebration party was held at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool after the game on Sunday. Footage of Jurgen Klopp dancing to a rap by Reds legend John Barnes has emerged online. The German was been filmed dancing with players from the team during the event.
Klopp, 56, is set to attend the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on June 1 as a guest for the German team. He is then expected to take a long break before deciding if he wants to take another managerial job.
The Merseyside-based club, meanwhile, have confirmed Arne Slot as their new head coach. The Dutch tactician has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Premier League giants. He arrives from Feyenoord, whom he helped win the Eredivisie in the 2022-23 season.