Jurgen Klopp’s parting promise to ‘special city’ ahead of final game as Liverpool manager
Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to the people of Liverpool in his final news conference as manager, describing it as a “very special city” and promising: “If the city needs me, I’m there.”
Klopp, who is stepping down after nine years with the team this weekend, said on Friday: “It’s a very, very, very special city.
“Nothing is perfect nowadays, but the majority of people in this city… the way they deal with life, the way they welcome you, the way they treat you.
“And I don’t mean me, anyone who comes to the club and arrives in this city tells me.
“I don’t imagine the club will need my help in the future, but if the city needs me, I’m there. I want to be helpful in whatever way.”
He added that being awarded the freedom of the city in 2022 feels like a “responsibility”.
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‘I would vote for scrapping VAR’
‘I would scrap VAR’
The manager, who announced he was leaving the club in January because he was “running out of energy”, also added: “I think they are voting about how VAR gets used because it is definitely not right.
“I wouldn’t vote against VAR, I’d vote against how it’s used. These people are not capable of using it properly. VAR is not the problem.
“I would vote for scrapping VAR the way it is.”
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‘Hard to say goodbye’ to Liverpool
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Asked about his final week in the job ahead of Sunday’s game against Wolves at Anfield, he described it as the “most intense of my life”.
“We’ve had great moments already,” he said. “We don’t have to pretend it’s a normal week because it isn’t.”
But he added: “I’m a very pragmatic person. This is the last game of the season and after that, it’s a holiday.
“Yesterday, the players said goodbye. We had a barbecue here. It’s a lot. I have emotional moments of course. I don’t know how many shirts I signed! It’s all part of the thing.
“Saying goodbye is never nice but saying goodbye without feeling sad or hurt, that would have meant the time was not good. The time was great. It will be tough.”
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Klopp: ‘I have very emotional moments’
‘We created something really special’
Liverpool will likely finish third to Manchester City and Arsenal following Sunday’s final matches.
Klopp, who arrived at Liverpool from Borussia Dortmund in 2015, will be succeeded by Feyenoord’s Arne Slot.
Asked for a few of his favourite moments this season, he chose the club’s overall performance against Manchester City, and their game against Barcelona.
His favourite final was the Carabao Cup win against Chelsea, which he described as the “best night of our lives”.
“In that moment it felt absolutely outstanding,” he said.
“It showed everything this club is about. Our people can create some special moments. That night we all created something really special. From the club’s point of view, it was the best night of our lives. I loved it.”
Klopp and his players celebrate their Carabao Cup win over Chelsea. Pic: Reuters
‘I burst into tears’
Finally, he apologised for not being able to read everything sent in by fans in his final days.
“Anfield is a super special place, because of the people. The people make it,” he said.
“The club is special, the club means the world to so many people. Emails, letters, if I answer them all I’m here until 2028. I apologise. I couldn’t sort tickets for the last game, there were a lot of requests.
“LFC TV had me read letters yesterday. With one, I burst into tears. Football changes lives and I know that. We did that.
“We have very special supporters. The last nine years meant the world to them. I’m happy about that.”
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.
Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.
Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.
On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
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Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.
She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.
“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”
UK
How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit – and many of them work for fast food delivery firms
It’s lunchtime on Birmingham’s New Street.
Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.
The area is packed with shoppers and workers.
PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.
“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.
Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.
PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.
Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.
PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.
PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.
I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.
The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.
“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.
Demoz had his bike taken by police
She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.
It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.
Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.
“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”
Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.
Read more:
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E-bike and e-scooter crimes soar 730% in five years
An e-bike seized by West Midlands Police
He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.
He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.
“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.
I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.
As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.
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