Liverpool’s whirlwind week: Klopp meets Ferguson, Taylor Swift songs and Rolex watches

What a momentous end to the season for Liverpool.

An emotion-fuelled goodbye to Jurgen Klopp, two senior players also saying farewell and the dawn of a new era with Monday’s announcement that Arne Slot has penned a three-year contract to be the head coach.

This is the inside story of that final week, featuring laughter, tears, dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson and a burst of Taylor Swift…

As Liverpool legend John Barnes delighted the crowd with a word-perfect rendition of Rapper’s Delight by Sugar Hill Gang, Jurgen Klopp made his way up to the stage.

They formed an impromptu double act as Barnes sang and Klopp, wearing a black baseball cap back to front, showed off his dance moves. The Titanic Hotel — close to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront — was the setting for the lavish farewell party on Sunday night.

Klopp tearing it up on the dance floor last night to John Barnes’ Anfield Rap pic.twitter.com/uzte7OE02x

— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) May 20, 2024

After all the emotion of the Anfield send-off a few hours before, it was time to unwind. It was around 9.30pm when Klopp led the squad into the plush function room to join family, friends and club staff as One Kiss by Dua Lipa blared out.

The guest list included UFC fighter Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, while Barnes was joined by fellow Anfield greats Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush as the celebrations continued past 4am.

The Champagne flowed and an orchestral band played before the DJ, Twotone, took over. Every member of the squad was present, with Darwin Nunez among the last of the players to leave.

Much had been made of the Uruguay striker failing to applaud during the guard of honour for Klopp on the pitch earlier but he was in good spirits during the party. At one stage, a South American trio of Nunez, Colombia’s Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister from Argentina were involved in a dance-off.

Just past 10pm, Klopp, the players and the coaching staff were invited up to the stage. The big screen showed a collection of video messages from current and former stars thanking him for the impact Klopp has had on their careers.

Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were among those to take the microphone to say a few words. As well as the outgoing manager, there were also tributes to Joel Matip and Thiago, who are both leaving as free agents this summer.

The trophies won during the German’s near nine-year reign were on display, Klopp having been presented with miniature versions earlier on the Anfield pitch after the Wolves game. There was a kids’ play area set up for the players’ families and a photo booth for guests with prints coming out emblazoned with the caption ‘Danke Jurgen’.