The long goodbye

With the news of Klopp’s departure, the game was almost an afterthought this weekend as an emotional Anfield began the long farewell to our greatest manager in modern times.

To the game itself then, Klopp fielded a strong 11, with a smattering of young players and it was young James McConnell’s assist to Jones that opened the scoring, his lovely floated cross expertly guided home by Curtis, who already is enjoying his best scoring season at Anfield.

It was another youngster in the shape of the excellent Connor Bradley who set up the second, showing great tenacity to win it back before playing a one-two with Jota and then setting Darwin up to finish. It’s good to see Darwin getting back amongst the goals as he does so much good for the team, if he can start finishing his chances with more frequency, he really will be a potent weapon.

Norwich replied with a couple of their own, one a stunning long range strike but in truth, their two goals flattered them as the onslaught continued. An expertly taken volley from Jota continued his fine scoring form and headers from Van Dijk and Gravenberch made the scoreline a more accurate reflection of the game.

The big story continues to be Klopp’s looming departure however. One thing though, the comparisons to Fergie and Wenger leaving aren’t quite accurate. Fergie left a team that was on its knees and Wenger left a club that had turned toxic and lacking direction, whereas Klopp leaves a strong squad that’s a good age and primed to push on over the next few years, coupled with some excellent looking youngsters coming through so at least whoever the new manager is that arrives in the summer, he doesn’t have a major rebuild on his hands.

No matter the success we have this season though, there’s bound to be a twinge of sadness that goes along with it as we bid farewell to a true legend of the game. Walk on!