Liverpool FC fans said goodbye to Jürgen Klopp with poems, murals and pies. In nine years, the German coach became a kind of brand ambassador for the northern English city.
In its more than 130-year history, Liverpool FC has seen many coaches come and go. But only two made it into the display of the small, rustic bakery “Homebaked”, opposite Anfield Stadium. First: Bill Shankly, who led and built the Reds out of the second division in the 1960s and 1970s. And right next to him: Jürgen Klopp.
Klopp pies for £3.50
“Beef mince, capers, new potatoes, German beer” – employee Angela McKay shows how she prepares the Klopp pies. Savory pies with a filling of minced meat, capers, potatoes and beer. Even though Klopp is now leaving, his pies will remain in the range for £3.50.
The pies are cheap, says McKay, and filling. Just a piece of nostalgia. A down-to-earth dish. For a down-to-earth trainer. Because that’s exactly what the Liverpudlians love about their Jürgen – who they didn’t just honor with baked goods.
Poems and murals for “the normal one”
“Our Klopp” is the name of the poem by local resident and poet Sean Cullen, which was projected as an art installation onto one of the coach’s many murals: “… the normal one, we knew would be fine …”. It was set to music by a Liverpool legend: 78-year-old George Sephton, Anfield’s stadium announcer for more than 50 years. When he thinks about his first meeting with Klopp nine years ago, his eyes shine:
“I tapped him on the shoulder: ‘Excuse me, Mr Klopp’. I didn’t get any further. ‘Ah, yes, you are the famous voice of Anfield’.” He was speechless and stunned. He could hardly believe that the famous newcomer knew his name even though Sephton hadn’t even introduced himself. Since then we have been on a first name basis.
With Jürgen leaving now… Sephton says he will be devastated. Especially in the last game: Klopp will walk around the pitch. Sephton will play the club anthem “You’ll never walk alone” and will need a large pack of tissues.
“You knew it was going to be exciting”
In “Jürgens Bierhaus”, a pub on the water, the atmosphere is not much better. The Liverpool coach beams with dozens of photos on the red-painted walls. The last away game against Aston Villa is shown on a screen. But many people are already thinking about the end of the season.
“You don’t know what’s coming now,” says Keith Slater, in his mid-60s. Liverpool FC will remain a great club with great players. But with Klopp we were looking forward to next season. “You knew it was going to be exciting.” And then Slater gets excited: Klopp is one of them, he says. A true Liverpudlian. Even fans of opposing teams would love Jürgen.
Nine not-so-normal years
A few tables away sits Dale Roberts, 33, wearing a lumberjack shirt and cap. As a tour guide, he has his thoughts: Klopp’s departure would be devastating. Not just for the club, but also for the city of Liverpool, for whose brand the football coach was so important.
At least in pie and poetry form, Klopp will stay for a while. In several anecdotes. And last but not least on the many wall paintings. A new one shows Klopp in front of a red background on a brick house. “Nine not so normal years” is the headline. Nine not-so-normal years.