28 January 2024 , 17:06
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Jurgen Klopp could not help but crack a smile as Liverpool fans sung You'll Never Walk Alone before his first game since announcing he will step down as manager at the end of the season.
Klopp confirmed on Friday that he will leave Liverpool in the summer, almost nine years after replacing Brendan Rodgers in the dugout. And ahead of their FA Cup fourth round tie against Norwich, Liverpool fans were in full voice as they belted out their club anthem prior to kick-off, spreading a beaming smile across their manager's face.
His coaching staff - including Pep Lijnders - also bore huge smiles before Klopp hunched down in his seat. Klopp has won over the hearts of Liverpool fans during his time at the club and their win over Norwich marks the beginning of the end as he prepares for his impeding exit.
His Liverpool players responded perfectly, starting on the front foot and opening the scoring in the 16th minute as Curtis Jones headed home. Norwich then stunned Anfield and levelled through Ben Gibson, but Liverpool immediately responded to retake the lead when Darwin Nunez fired into the corner.
Diogo Jota added a third for Liverpool in the 53rd minute, before Virgil van Dijk got his name on the scoresheet to put the Reds in cruise control. Although Borja Sainz pulled one back with a terrific strike, Liverpool added a fifth in stoppage time as Ryan Gravenberch headed home to seal the victory.
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Speaking on the Anfield atmosphere after the match, Van Dijk told Match of the Day: "It was the first time since the announcement that the manager was back in the stadium seeing all of the fans. It was always going to be a bit different. Within the squad, nothing has changed. It was very emotional on the day.
(ITV)"As a squad, we have a lot of targets to achieve. Let's give it everything we have. The manager is her until the summer. We have to deal with the noise. It's my job as captain to make sure it doesn't reach our players."
Norwich boss David Wagner was the best man at Klopp's wedding and he is sad to see his compatriot leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. He told ITV: "Obviously I wish him from the bottom of my heart every success which he can have.
"It wasn't nice to be the first one on his goodbye tour here in England which unfortunately didn't end with the result we hoped but at the end of the day I wish him all the best and all the luck which he needs."
Goalscorer Jones was quizzed on the message after Klopp's departure was confirmed. He told ITV: "Just carry on. We have our goals that we've set and nothing has changed. It's sad for the whole club but he is a man and we respect that."