Jurgen Klopp's potential final game for Liverpool has chance to be perfect sign-off

The announcement that Jurgen Klopp will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season has rocked the fanbase like little else in recent memory.

The 56-year-old has overseen a true transformation at Anfield, with the Reds rising from a period of stagnant mediocrity to the summit of world football since his takeover in October 2015.

Currently the Premier League's longest-serving manager, Klopp not only brought sustained success and trophies to Merseyside, but has formed a deep connection with the club and the local community that is all too rare in modern-day, elite-level football.

The German admitted he was 'running of energy' in the club's official announcement, but called on fans to 'make a strength' of the news for the remainder of the season, as Liverpool compete for four trophies.

He told supporters: "Let’s now really go for it. The outside world want to use this decision, laugh about it, want to disturb us. We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together. And you went through harder things before me.

"Let’s make a strength of it. That would be really cool. Let’s squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future. Thank you."

Klopp, who will be joined in his exit by several key members of the coaching staff and interim sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, will now be focussed on ensuring he has a strong sign-off as Liverpool manager in the remaining months of this season.

While the boss urged fans not to make the rest of the campaign about him, it's hard to imagine there won't be an emotional reaction from the crowd at the Reds' FA Cup fourth-round game against Norwich at Anfield this Sunday.

How the news impacts the stadium and team remains to be seen, but should they win the tie this weekend, Liverpool will remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple this season – with Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Europa League and Premier League glory all still possible.

As it stands, the Reds are five points clear at the top of the table, in the last 16 in Europe and have a date with Chelsea at Wembley next month for a repeat of 2022's Carabao Cup final.

What will be Klopp's final Liverpool game

While we can only hope the announcement helps inspire the team towards glory on all fronts, the exact date for what will ultimately be Klopp's last game as Liverpool manager is yet to be determined.

The final week of Premier League fixtures is set for Sunday, 19 May with the Reds taking on Wolves at home. Expect plenty of emotions that afternoon, regardless of Liverpool's standing in the table by gameweek 38.

There is of course the possibility that the Reds could clinch the title in that game or in the weeks before, setting up the opportunity for the celebrations that were denied the team and fans during COVID.

After the league is done and dusted, however, there is a chance that Klopp could still helm one more game for Liverpool: the 2023/24 Europa League final.

That match is set for Wednesday, 22 May at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin – a short hop across the Irish Sea from Merseyside.

As well as the ideal location for fans, the game offers a potentially perfect ending for Klopp's Liverpool story.

The Europa League remains the one major trophy Liverpool have competed in but not won in the German's eight years at the club – having lost the final 3-1 to Sevilla during his first season back in 2015/16.

Since then, the Reds had exclusively competed in the Champions League, but are back in contention for Europe's second continental competition again this year and earned their place in the last 16 by winning Group E ahead of Toulouse, Union Saint-Gilloise and LASK.

Those connected with Liverpool will be all too aware that dream goodbyes are rarely a reality (see: Steven Gerrard's final game) and there are three rounds and likely several major obstacles to overcome in order to reach Dublin in May.

The Premier League is still, of course, the trophy all supporters will want more than anything this season. However, while still possible that date of 22 May on the calendar will remain a hopeful one for all Liverpool fans, as Klopp has the chance to say goodbye with the one trophy missing from his personal haul.