20 May 2023 , 16:45
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There has probably never been a more enthusiastic greeting for a substitution in Anfield history.
With 18 minutes remaining, the Kop got what they had demanded throughout a frustrating afternoon when Jurgen Klopp said "Si" to the greatest Senor ever to have graced this famous old stadium.
Within 60 seconds, he had crafted a chance for Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the chorus began once more, an emotional appreciation of not just what Liverpool will be missing, but what he has brought to the great team Klopp has crafted.
What he did next was so typical of the Brazilian; an inspiring energy, presence and sheer driving commitment pulsing through him to lift a team which had looked insipid before his arrival.
The perfect way to say goodbye
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The goal was inevitable, finished with the sort of emphatic zeal that suggested Firmino was on a mission, to say goodbye in the best possible way. He did, so very nearly turning the game around…and they will not forget this afternoon, this magnificent player.
The last 20 minutes were some of the most emotional of the season, you could argue some of the most enervating of Klopp’s era, as the Anfield crowd willed their hero to have the final say on his last outing here.
Sadly, despite the wonderful entertainment, even Firmino’s magic couldn’t quite conjure the victory the occasion deserved - though Liverpool fans and Jurgen Klopp will argue that was once again because of the refereeing.
Roberto Firmino says goodbye to the Kop (PA)Almost predictably, and certainly painfully, it was a contest here once more blighted by the controversy surrounding match officials with an unfortunate history of, shall we be polite and say ‘exchanges’, with Klopp.
The Reds boss watched on amazed from his seat in the stand, as ref John Brooks decided Ezri Konsa hadn’t deliberately played the ball when it came off him to allow Virgil van Dijk, standing beyond the Villa defensive line, to tee up Cody Gakpo to equalise.
Jurgen Klopp unable to voice his concern
It took a VAR review and Brooks’ own trek over to the monitor to determine the visiting centre half didn’t mean a touch, which was directed back to the Liverpool player - which is stunningly bizarre, because what the hell was he doing on the pitch if he didn’t want to intervene in that critical situation?
Klopp was visibly perplexed. We could see the whites of his eyes as he looked at a monitor of his own just a few yards away at the back of the stand, and they turned a murderous shade of darkness.
Was this payback for the questioning of officials - Brooks included - which earned the manager his touchline ban and a 75 grand fine, or just coincidence?
Jurgen Klopp was hit with a touchline ban (PA)Almost certainly a bad coincidence of course, but c’mon, what sort of stunningly insensitive appointment was this by the Premier League and PGMOL to give a game where Klopp has a touchline ban to one of the officials involved in the reason for his punishment?
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It is as if they are trying to make a snide point…and that doesn’t smack of firmness, it smacks of pettiness. It is not a good look.
As it was, with United winning, it probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway, but was a sour note on which to bring down the curtain on four of Liverpool’s impressive clergy in this magnificent church.
Special praise for a special three
Firmino rightly got the attention, but James Milner deserves special praise too - and got it when the Kop chanted his name. He has played 331 games for Liverpool and has been one of the biggest influences in the dressing room during Klopp’s reign. He set the tone for everything that has been achieved in the past seven years.
James Milner is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season (PA)Firmino finished with a total of 361 appearances making him 40th on the all-time list for the Reds. He will go down in history as one of the greats, and Milner will join him.
At the end they honoured that status, most of the 55,000 crowd staying to pay their tribute enthusiastically, to this golden pair, and to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita too. It is the end of an era at Anfield, and the passion on display in this beautiful finale will be tough to replace.