Klopp hails Reds’ character
LONDON: Liverpool’s squad has shown great character this season, manager Juergen Klopp said after the Merseysiders drew 3-3 at Aston Villa as he bid farewell to fans in his last game on the road.
Liverpool looked set for all three points in Klopp’s penultimate game, leading 3-1 before substitute Jhon Duran’s goals in the 85th and 88th minutes made the teams share the spoils on Monday.
Klopp was not only serenaded by the travelling Liverpool fans who paid homage to his nine-year tenure with the club but also received applause from the home crowd as he headed down the tunnel at Villa Park.
“I know it’s the last time, it just doesn’t feel [like] it,” Klopp told reporters. “The away fans were always absolutely insane. What they did, where they were, we asked them to travel a lot over the years. It is a wonderful relationship.”
After Liverpool lifted the League Cup in February, they looked like they could win the title but Klopp’s side had their hopes shredded following a run of bad results last month.
On looking back at his season, the German manager said finishing third was still something to be proud of. “From where we came from [third place] is a statement as well,” he added.
“For me, the story of the season is that the boys have really, really good character and a sensational attitude
— that’s why we were here today and that’s why we have now 79 points.
“I am not over the moon about it but obviously for a week or two we’ve had to accept we cannot be the best or the second-best team in the league, [but] that’s a good basis for the future and that’s all you can ask for.”
Liverpool host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, which will be Klopp’s last game at home at Anfield.
Villa, now on the cusp of a place in the Champions League next season, are on 68 points with one game remaining, five clear of fifth-placed Tottenham who have two matches still to come but must beat title-chasing Manchester City later yesterday to stay in contention.
Tottenham end their season at bottom side Sheffield United on Sunday, while Unai Emery’s side play their last game at 12th placed Crystal Palace.
Liverpool were gifted the opener when Argentine international goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez fumbled a tame Harvey Elliot cross, desperately clawing the ball across the line and into his own net.
RESULT
Aston Villa 3 (Tielemans 12, Duran 85, 88) Liverpool 3 (Martinez 2-og, Gakpo 23, Quansah 48)
STANDINGS
P W D L GF GA Pts Arsenal 37 27 5 5 89 28 86 Man City 36 26 7 3 91 33 85 Liverpool 37 23 10 4 84 41 79 Aston Villa 37 20 8 9 76 56 68 Tottenham 36 19 6 11 71 59 63 Newcastle 36 17 6 13 79 57 57 Chelsea 36 16 9 11 73 61 57 Man Utd 36 16 6 14 52 56 54 West Ham 37 14 10 13 59 71 52 Brighton 36 12 12 12 54 58 48 Bournemouth 37 13 9 15 53 65 48 Crystal Palace 37 12 10 15 52 58 46 Wolves 37 13 7 17 50 63 46 Fulham 37 12 8 17 51 59 44 Everton* 37 13 9 15 39 49 40 Brentford 37 10 9 18 54 61 39 Forest** 37 8 9 20 47 66 29 Luton 37 6 8 23 50 81 26 R-Burnley 37 5 9 23 40 76 24 R-Sheff Utd 37 3 7 27 35 101 16 Notes: *Everton deducted eight points for breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) **Nottingham Forest deducted four points for breaching PSR