Jürgen Klopp’s farewell tour descends from heavy metal to a heavy heart

fter the game, as he was asked to consider the imminent departure of Jürgen Klopp, David Moyes was in jovial mood: “I’ll be glad he’s gone. He’s too big. Teeth are too bright. I’ll be glad to see the back of him I’ve got to say. Hurry up and get away.”

But even for those who have been counting down the days, the rogue miserabilists, irredeemable misanthropes and rival managers, this cannot be how anybody wanted the story to end. Moyes admitted that Liverpool were the better team here and by way of bonus added they had been also in theiron Wednesday. Liverpool were also better than Fulham last week, and Crystal Palace and Manchester United before that.

In the first half Robertson’s availability as an open passing option on the left, and Harvey Elliott’s on the right, sucked the team into playing easy passes into areas which suited the West Ham defence, and part of their improvement after the break came with an increased willingness to attempt riskier but potentially more decisive passes through the middle. Still, their actual goals relied on a full-back and a triple deflection. They are a team that is straining but sagging.

The heavy metal football of Klopp’s heyday has been replaced with something that is just heavy. This manager himself is weighed down. He said little in a brief post-match press conference but there were a few phrases that revealed a dark mood: “I tried to do the right thing”; “It will be the next generation not me any more”; “I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you, or anybody else.”It is not just Liverpool’s results that are not right at the moment.

When Klopp announced in January his intention to leave the club at the end of the season talk was of a glorious, title-winning send-off. The issue now is not trophies but atrophy. Salah left the ground muttering angrily about “fire”; in truth we can barely see the embers.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Jürgen Klopp hails potential Liverpool successor Arne Slot: football newsJoin our writers for buildup to another busy weekend of action in the Premier League, Championship and further afield
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Liverpool agree terms with Feyenoord for Arne Slot to replace Jürgen KloppFeyenoord are in line to receive £7.7m in exchange for their manager’s services with Jürgen Klopp saying the position is ‘the best in the world at the best club’
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Jürgen Klopp blames himself for failing to galvanise faltering LiverpoolJürgen Klopp has blamed himself for Liverpool’s damaging end-of-season slump
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Injuries have deflated Liverpool – not Jürgen Klopp’s early wave goodbyeManager’s departure news is not to blame for his side losing their grasp on two, quite possibly three, trophies in quick time
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Liverpool have become ‘too easy’ to play against, admits Jürgen KloppJürgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool have become ‘too easy’ to play against and must toughen up if they are to win the Premier League title
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Conor Bradley at heart of Jürgen Klopp’s last young Liverpool bandFull-back has become invaluable at Anfield and would surely thrive under Klopp’s possible replacement Roberto De Zerbi
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »