After the morale-sapping setbacks of recent weeks, Liverpool provided a much-needed injection of positivity.
Not even their late descent from the sublime to the ridiculous against Tottenhamcould wipe the smile off Jurgen Klopp’s face and understandably so.
There he was, throwing fist pumps in front of the Kop as a buoyant Anfield serenaded their outgoing manager. Having come to terms with the fact there will be no glorious finale to this era, the mood was celebratory and appreciative.
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This was much more like it. A team who had lost their way so alarmingly rediscovered their swagger for the penultimate home game of Klopp’s reign.
The eight-day break between matches helped, as Liverpool had an energy and intensity that had been conspicuous by its absence. The lack of pressure also enabled the hosts to play with fluency and freedom, which weren’t evident during the anxiety-enhanced struggles of the past month.
If the unravelling of their Premier League title challenge exposed some glaring deficiencies that incoming head coach Arne Slot will need to address this summer, here was a timely reminder of the array of talent Klopp will leave behind.
Inside Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool…
- Why he decided he had to leave
- Who could be the winners and losers under Arne Slot?
- James Pearce: Replacing Klopp is no longer the impossible job
- Dirk Kuyt: Why Slot could be perfect for Anfield
- Profile: Feyenoord’s champion who became Liverpool’s main man
It is a very different situation from the one at Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson walked away in 2013. This isn’t an ageing squad and there isn’t a major rebuilding job required after an icon departs.
One of the many reasons Fenway Sports Group CEO of football Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes decided Slot was the perfect fit for Liverpool was his track record of putting his faith in anddeveloping young players.
Klopp has bullishly stated that this is the perfect time to be taking over given the age range and quality of the personnel already on board. Still, it’s wishful thinking that the transition will be seamless given the size of the boots to fill and Klopp’s sheer force of personality.
If Liverpool opting for Slot is a gamble given he hasn’t coached outside the Netherlands, you could argue the Feyenoord boss is also taking a risk by accepting the opportunity to follow in Klopp’s footsteps.
But you can see why he’s backing himself to succeed. So many of the tools are already in place.Who wouldn’t want to work with Harvey Elliott?
Only 21 but with 117 senior appearances already under his belt, he dazzled against Tottenham — relentless with his pressing out of possession and so effective with the ball at his feet.
Elliott created Liverpool’s third goal for Cody Gakpo with a wonderful cross before scoring the fourth with a stunning strike from just outside the box.
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“Harvey is exceptional,” Klopp said.
“He was for a long time one of our best players when he played right wing when Mohamed Salah was injured or at the Africa Cup of Nations. In the midfield position, that was probably in the top three or four performances from him today.
“Everybody needs moments to gain even more confidence. What a goal! He worked really hard in the other direction as well.”
Elliott celebrates his excellent goal (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
What a breakthrough season it has been for Jarell Quansah, too, who has gone from being regarded as the fifth-choice centre-back to deservedly getting picked ahead of Ibrahima Konate. The 21-year-old academy graduate, who has featured 31 times this season, is still learning his trade, but the potential is clear.
There was also the welcome sight of Stefan Bajcetic, 19, getting his first taste of Premier League football since March 2023 as the young midfielder gets back up to speed after a long absence due to injury.
Just look at Sunday’s bench. Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones are 23, Ryan Gravenberch is 21, and Conor Bradley is 20.
Come the start of pre-season in July, rookies Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas will be among those battling to catch Slot’s eye.
Some fresh blood will also be required. With Joel Matip and Thiago departing as free agents, there’s a need to strengthen the back line and the midfield.
It will be intriguing to see what happens at the top end of the pitch. Gakpo, who was once again picked ahead of Darwin Nunez, caused Tottenham plenty of problems. The Dutch attacker is ending his first full season at Anfield in style. In contrast, Nunez produced an erratic late cameo.
Gakpo ended a six-game run without a goal (John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hughes will be tasked with addressing the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold once the campaign is over and there was food for thought here.
Salah delivered the perfect response to his show of petulance on the touchline at West Ham as he produced his most eye-catching performance of 2024.
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The Egyptian nodded home the opener, saw his shot parried before Andy Robertson netted the second, and provided the layoff for Elliott’s majestic strike. Salah became the first player in Premier League history to score 10 or more goals and provide 10 or more assists in three consecutive seasons. His battle with Emerson Royal was a mismatch and he wreaked havoc.
Alexander-Arnold was at his dynamic best and Slot, who loves inverted full-backs, must be licking his lips at the prospect of being able to call upon someone with his skill set. Sorting out the vice-captain future’s has to be at the top of Hughes’ in-tray.
From a position of complete dominance at 4-0 up, Liverpool clocked off. A bit of complacency crept in and the array of substitutions made it disjointed and allowed Tottenham to half the deficit.
Liverpool still haven’t kept a clean sheet at home in the league since mid-December. Alisson’s displeasure at that wait being extended was clear for all to see.
“We lost a bit of organisation,” explained Klopp. “It’s not great but it’s human. We were outstanding until we were not good.”
This was the club’s season in microcosm — scintillating at times, baffling at others – but the good far outweighed the bad.
Klopp’s long goodbye is reaching an emotional crescendo. Two games to go with third place secured. Sunday changed the mood after Liverpool’s recent woes and shone a light on some of the riches Slot will inherit.
(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
James Pearce joins the Athletic after 14 years working for the Liverpool Echo. The dad-of-two has spent the past decade covering the fortunes of Liverpool FC across the globe to give fans the inside track on the Reds from the dressing room to the boardroom. Follow James on Twitter @JamesPearceLFC
