Jurgen Klopp admitted to being overcome by emotion during Liverpool’s victory parade on Sunday after the Reds boss finally put to bed his cup final hoodoo in the Champions League final.
The charismatic German coach had the time of his life on board the team bus as he celebrated breaking a streak of six straight cup final losses by drinking plenty of beer and dousing his players in it too.
Klopp joked at full-time at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday that he was happy that his family could at last celebrate reaching a showpiece finale, after falling short on so many previous occasions.
But his luck changed on Saturday as Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi helped the Reds secure their sixth European title – and Klopp was determined to celebrate in style.
Jurgen Klopp was determined to celebrate winning his first trophy with Liverpool in style
The Reds bossed was captured pumping his arms in delight on the bus with a bottle in hand
His celebrations saw him take a tumble into the bus and nearly knock over his players
Klopp admitted that he felt overcome with emotion during Liverpool’s victory parade
The former Borussia Dortmund boss said the euphoria in the streets had an impact on him
Police estimate more than 750,000 Liverpool fans poured into the city to greet the team
Liverpool’s victory parade started at Allerton Maze and finished its tour near the waterfront
The Reds coach was seen grinning from ear-to-ear as the team made their way past thousands upon thousands of adoring fans in Liverpool.
He had more than a bit to drink on the bus and was filmed pumping his arms in celebration – bottle in hand – before nearly tipping over and into his players.
He also made sure that Rhian Brewster, got his fair share of beer as he doused the youngster with the remnants of one of his many pints.
Klopp has every right to celebrate after taking Liverpool to new heights again this season.
He has built on the foundations of last term’s exciting – yet defensively flawed – side to produce a Rolls-Royce eleven that appears faultless from front to back.
Klopp was also keen to ensure that no one of his players were denied a celebratory drink
He doused youngster Rhian Brewster with some of the his beer to the delight of the 19-year-old
Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Tottenham also avenged last year’s cup final loss to Real Madrid
Klopp has seen continued progress year-on-year at Anfield and this win was a fitting reward
He has built on the foundations of last term’s exciting – yet defensively flawed – side to produce a Rolls-Royce eleven that appears faultless from front to back.
Avenging last season’s crushing Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid left Klopp and his team with a moment to savour and they kept the party rolling through the city of Liverpool.
The parade started at Allerton Maze and ended near the waterfront after moving slowly through more than 750,000 fans, according to a police estimate.
And for the 51-year-old, seeing so many delighted faces proved an emotional experience.
‘I cannot really describe it because I cried a little bit as well because it’s so overwhelming what the people are doing,’ he told Liverpool’s official website.
‘When you have a direct eye contact and you see how much it means to them, that’s touching to be honest. It’s brilliant.’
Klopp has seen continued progress year-on-year at Anfield and this win was a fitting reward
Klopp blows a kiss to his adoring fans before raising the trophy aloft on board the team bus
Liverpool were not at the their best on Saturday but in the end it didn’t matter; the Reds are no longer the side handicapped by flaws in their exciting system, they are a side capable of winning, and winning ugly.
They were given a helping hand by the awarding of a penalty for a handball by Moussa Sissoko after just 21 seconds, but after Salah slotted the ball past Hugo Lloris, the Reds were able to keep Tottenham at arms length.
Just as Mauricio Pochettino’s men finally appeared to pick up some momentum, super-sub Origi popped up with another crucial goal, allowing the party to start for Liverpool supporters.
For Klopp, it was the pinnacle of his career.
‘I’m so happy for the boys, all the fans, my family,’ Klopp said at full time.
Klopp was thrilled to get his hands on the Champions League trophy after last year’s hearbrake
The manager also said he was glad his family could finally celebrate his reaching of a final
The win saw Liverpool secure their sixth European title and their first since Istanbul in 2005
‘They suffer every year when we go to a final. Last game of the season and we lose it. They are supportive.
‘Did you ever see a team like this, fighting with no fuel in the tank? Tottenham came out changing offensively, then you have a goalkeeper who makes difficult things look easy. Very nice thank you very much.
‘Maybe the best night of my life, professional wise. It took a while, we tried a lot of times. Important for our development as a group. We are doing good steps but people say “why you don’t win anything” this helps a lot. Now we can carry on.’