Jurgen Klopp sends 12-word message to Liverpool after watching Virgil van Dijk's trophy lift
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace with Ismaila Sarr and Mohamed Salah on the scoresheet. But that was far from the story of the day: it was all about Virgil van Dijk getting his hands on the silverware at last.
Klopp had been invited back by Arne Slot already this season but he opted to wait until the title was secured. In town for the LFC Foundation gala and then the trophy parade, he took in the game in the middle.
READ MORE: Arne Slot makes Liverpool summer promise and outlines transfer plan - 'Always have to try'
READ MORE: 'I saw Anfield come alive in an instant as Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot's Liverpool wish comes true'
The German posted a message on social media after the match. "Congratulations. Champions. What a team. What a club. What a season. YNWA!" he wrote on Instagram.
Van Dijk, as captain, was the man who got to lift the trophy above his head, having been handed it by Reds legend Alan Hansen. Jordan Henderson, skipper under Klopp, did it in 2020, but that was when no one was in the ground to witness it.
Klopp had asked fans not to boo the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold before the game and his wish was granted. The Liverpool number 66 was loudly clapped and was in floods of tears at the final whistle.
"I didn't know what to expect stepping out at Anfield today after what happened a few weeks ago but I wanted to play for the club one more time," Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports. "I said that to the manager and he trusted me to go in at half-time.
"To get the reception that I got means more than anything to me. I've played hundreds of games for the club but I've never felt more loved and more cared for than today.
"From the bottom of my heart, I hope that one day, the fans and supporters of this club are able to recognize the hard work and everything that I've done for the team.
"There wasn't a day, a minute or a second that I didn't think about the team, from six years old to 26 years old.
"Twenty years is a very, very long time, but I've loved every single minute of it. The ups and the downs, coming through the academy to the first team, and then being part of the first team properly. It's been an honor and a privilege for me to be part of this club."
While it has not been confirmed yet, Alexander-Arnold will be joining Real Madrid. There, he will link up with the former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Klopp, meanwhile, has been linked with the AS Roma job recently. However, the German has definitively ruled out such a move. He is happy in his current role with the Red Bull group.
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