Liverpool 2 Wolves 0
It was an emotional afternoon at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp led his Liverpool side onto the pitch for the very last time. The German manager will live on as one of the greatest managers the club has had but it seems all good things must come to an end at some point.
Wolves were the visitors for Klopp’s final game in charge. Semedo was penalised early on for a silly foul in a dangerous area. As it was lifted into the back post, Van Dijk almost profited but the visitors managed to scramble the ball clear.
Gary O’Neil’s side then broke with pace as the hosts were trying their hardest to get back towards their goal. Hwang had a shot at goal but Alisson made a good save to put it behind for a corner. Wolves were using Liverpool’s own tactics against them with that move.
Semedo then lunged into a challenge on Mac Allister that left the Argentine in pain on the floor. The referee brandished a yellow card but was sent to the monitor by a VAR review. He then upgraded his decision to a straight red card for the Wolves’ player.
Credit: @LFC
The replay showed that he did catch the Liverpool midfielder high up the shin and by the laws of the game it should be a red card. What is a problem for fans of the game is the lack of consistency. We have seen similar challenges go unpunished this season all too often.
Mac Allister then dealt an even worse blow for the visitors. As a cross was lifted into the box by Elliott, it was his flick on that opened the scoring at Anfield. Donning their new kit for next season, The Reds had finally broken through after thirty-four minutes of the game.
Klopp’s side just grew in confidence against the ten men of Wolves. Endo tried to bend one in the far corner but Jose Sa got down well to tip it behind for a corner. As the resulting cross came in, it was flicked on by Gakpo and hit goalwards by Salah.
As it deflected past the keeper and towards the goal line, Quansah poked home to make sure as a Wolves defender seemed certain to clear the ball. Things were all going according to plan for Jurgen Klopp’s final game at Anfield.
Into the second half and a poor ball back to Jose Sa was intercepted by Gakpo. He crossed to the back post where Diaz met it on the half volley, only to see his shot hit the underside of the bar and come back out into play.
This has been part of the problem for Liverpool this season. As skilful and tricky as the Columbian looks, his finishing is right up there with Darwin Nunez. If either of these players had been the shooter on the Grassy Knoll, John F. Kennedy would be 107 years old now.
Credit: @LFC
Thiago Alcantara was sat in the stands to make his final farewell to the club also. It was nice to see the Spaniard out of the treatment room for a change. He was sat next to fellow professional hospital patient Joel Matip who is also heading out of the Anfield exit door.
Liverpool almost added a third as Diaz and Salah dallied over the same ball until the ‘Egyptian King’ finally shot for goal. Jose Sa made a great save to tip the ball behind to keep the scoreline more respectable for the visitors.
Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year reign at Liverpool ended with victory. He had brought the good times back to the club and won five major trophies in the process. During his farewell procession, he even sung the song about their imminent new manager Arne Slot. What a legend this man will always be here.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.