Donegal Liverpool fan at Jürgen Klopp's farewell: 'He's something extraordinary'

A Donegal native who has supported Liverpool for 50 years said there was a unique atmosphere at Anfield as Jürgen Klopp waved goodbye after nine years as manager.

Martin McFadden from Kilcar was one of the 61,000 in attendance as Liverpool rounded off their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolves, with Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah the goalscorers.

However, Martin admits the match itself was something of a sideshow as Klopp took charge of the team for the 491st and last time. Martin was also in attendance at Klopp’s first game in charge - a scoreless draw with Tottenham in October 2015.

Since then, the affable German ended Liverpool's 30-year Premier League title drought when he guided the team to a league win in the 2019-20 season. He also guided the club to the 2019 Champions League title, one FA Cup title, two League Cup titles, a Club World Cup title and a Super Cup title.

Dutchman Arne Slot will take over as manager, leaving Feyenoord, with Klopp getting Anfield to sing a song for the Dutchman.

“It was an extraordinary experience with a full house - as you’d expect - to see Mr Klopp off,” Martin told DonegalLive from Liverpool. “It was almost like a celebration but also a sadness with an air of reverence about the stadium.

"There’s uncertainty as well in terms of what, when you've got a guy as charismatic and successful leaving after nine years and a lot of the backroom team going with him, the fans are just maybe at a loss to as to what's happening next.”

Martin admits being hooked on Liverpool since the 1974 FA Cup final when they defeated Newcastle 3-0 at Wembley Stadium. That summer, the club’s legendary manager Bill Shankly left the club and Klopp’s impact on both Liverpool the city and the football club has been likened to the wily Scot.

“I've been following Liverpool a long time and watching them in person when I got the chance,” Martin adds. “Klopp has been something extraordinary. His heavy metal football and the way he played it but also the way the man himself. You know where he carried himself and the compassionate side of him. He’s a very good person who always came across well for me.

“He has that Shankly Ethos of the people. Against Wolves, there was The Beatles song with the Klopp lyrics, which was very unusual and that was the level of respect that they have for this man/

“There were tears you can see in the players the players were emotional and fans were emotional you know the stadium was rocking the whole way through a fabulous sunny afternoon.

“The game itself probably wasn't a classic by any stretch and it was all about club today. Klopp is genuine and somebody that you would look up to and respect regardless of your football team

“It was really good experience - something different, something like I haven't experienced before. People will miss Mr Klopp and wish him well wherever he goes and in whatever he does.”