Jürgen Klopp admitted on Friday that Liverpool could have lifted more trophies during his nine-year reign as manager, saying “we know we could have won more.”
Klopp, who announced in January that he would leave the club at the end of the season, will take charge of his final Liverpool match on Sunday against Wolves with emotional scenes expected at Anfield.
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The 56-year-old lifted seven major trophies during his time at the club, including the Premier League, the Champions League, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
Klopp’s side reached the Champions League final in 2018 and 2022 but lost to Real Madrid on both occasions. Twice, Liverpool finished runners-up behind Manchester City in the Premier League — they amassed 97 points in the 2018-2019 season but finished one point behind City. They trailed Pep Guardiola’s team by one point again in 2021-2022, ending up one point behind City’s tally of 93
“We know we could have won more but I can’t change that. We could have won less as well. Not being champion by a point is not a great experience but it’s an experience. I couldn’t have done anything different in these moments,” he told a news conference on Friday.
“We could have won more Champions Leagues. Being in three finals is an outstanding achievement. There is a good chance you lose the final, that’s how it is. Real Madrid, they always find a way to win it. We tried again.
“I would not be happy if I thought I could have done more. I couldn’t have done more. Could someone else have done better? Possibly. But not me and I’m fine with it. It’ll be judged by the people and most are fine with it.”
The last trophy of Klopp’s reign came in February, when an injury-ravaged Liverpool side defeated Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
“It was my favourite final we ever played,” Klopp said. “We know how people see the Carabao but in that moment it felt absolutely outstanding. It showed everything this club is about.
“Our people can create some special moments. That night we all created something really special. From the club point of view, it was the best night of our lives. I loved it. I loved to see the kids’ eyes and the other ones, Virgil [van Dijk], skipper, first trophy. A fantastic night, I’ll never forget it.”
The German manager said the week leading into the Wolves game on Sunday has been the most “intense” of his life.
“This is last game of the season and after that it’s holiday. Business as usual. Yesterday, players said goodbye. We had a barbeque here. It’s a lot. I have emotional moments of course. I don’t know how many shirts I signed! It’s all part of the thing,” he said.
“Saying goodbye is never nice but saying goodbye without feeling sad or hurt, that would mean the time was not good. The time was great. It will be tough.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool confirmed that defender Joël Matip and midfielder Thiago Alcantara will be leaving the club at the end of the season after their contracts expire.
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“Thiago and Joel were in my office this week. Have you ever seen a better free transfer than Joel Matip? Ridiculously funny and a wonderful man. He has to make a decision if he wants to play on. Whoever gets him is a lucky club because he is world class and super humble,” Klopp said.
“I would have loved to see Thiago’s career without injuries. One of the best I ever saw…in control of everything on the pitch. I told them already thank you for everything they did. They were all brilliant. If they weren’t, they would have left last year.”
