Loved him to bits - Scouser Tommies

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back with the latest on LFC from Liverpool, and it’s not just the heavy rain pounding down on the city to remind them it’s summer. Jurgen Klopp is now the former Liverpool manager, Arne Slot is officially set to become the new Head Coach and the sports pages will soon be more interested in cricket and tennis than football. Klopp’s departure was preceded by a 2-0 win at home to Wolves, with a goal apiece from contenders for the club’s player of the year and young player of the year awards. The stats told a story of how good the performance was, even if the Kop end wasn’t to get a goal to see the manager off, but it was the send-off that followed the match that might live on longest in the memory. Not that the Kop were waiting for the end of the game to start the leaving do, with some of the most sustained singing you’ll hear as almost every page of the Anfield songbook got an outing. As Jay says, there was plenty of recognition for players past and present, especially those who were key to the success Liverpool had under Klopp. The post-match celebrations saw recognition for numerous members of the departing backroom staff, something Klopp had insisted on, but as Jim says, once Klopp got on the stage you could sense he wanted to dispense with any formalities. The way he effectively announced Arne Slot as his replacement was one of the ways he did it, although as Jay points out, fans on the Kop didn’t realise it was Arne he was singing about! In this week’s show Jay and Jim recall some of the key moments from Klopp’s era, and at just how well the man himself fitted in here in Liverpool. An honorary scouser, he fitted in from day one and leaves with the freedom of Anfield, at least in the eyes of the fans. Did Klopp turn us from doubters into believers, or just remind us how good we can be when we allow ourselves to believe? As Jim and Jay discuss, the contrast to a couple of his predecessors was striking, as were the similarities to some of his more illustrious predecessors. Klopp’s announcement of Arne Slot as his successor was followed by the official announcement from the club, hardly a shock to anyone, he’ll officially join the club on June 1st. A new era awaits, and Klopp’s words on how to prepare for it resonated with Jay and Jim: “Go full throttle into it,” Klopp said, “You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me, you go from the first day. Keep believing, push the team.” This week: • Klopp’s last game • The songs • The speech • The goals • The memories • The difference – between him and a couple of his recent predecessors • The similarities – between him and a certain illustrious predecessor • “I’m one of you now. I love you to bits.” – he always was, and same here • The next man – Arne Slot • The pronunciation • The squad he inherits • The new job title • Will he stick to the same system he’s known for? • What’s the future for some of the squad • International call-ups • Avoiding the general election Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices