Jurgen Klopp couldn't help but hold his head in his hands when Luis Diaz missed a sitter against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rather than hiding a face of fury and frustration, it was a relaxed laughter the German coach was covering up at Anfield. The Reds boss pulled the peak of his cap down as he marvelled at the miss as the sun beat down on Merseyside.
With nothing riding on the match versus Wolves, it was a different type of atmosphere at Liverpool's ground as they paid tribute to the figure that has guided them to Premier League and Champions League titles in his tenure. For all of the intensity that has become his trademark on the sideline, Klopp was in a more contemplative mood on Sunday.
The former Dortmund boss was fighting back tears as he emerged to the sounds of You'll Never Walk Alone ahead of the first whistle, and The Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish stands held up a mosaic displaying the phrase 'Danke Jurgen'. Overseeing his 491st and final match in charge, the coach received a huge cheer when his name was read out following the teams and earned an outstanding reception over the course of the afternoon.
Klopp could not fight the urge to chuckle throughout the afternoon and even laughed after Liverpool's second goal of the afternoon. Defender Jarrell Quansah netted a rare goal from less than a yard out which saw Klopp simply illicit a giggle and a big smile in his seat.
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The German was just as composed when Diaz missed a promising opportunity, to prove it was a day more about manager and supporters showing their appreciation of each other. Klopp delivered a heartfelt message in his programme notes.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R) embraces Alexis Mac Allister"The big positive for Liverpool is that no matter who is leaving, the club is still in a very, very good place," he said. "This season we aimed for the moon and ended up in the stars which is never too bad and the players and staff who are remaining are top, top class.
"Yes, they will have new leadership before too long but this is a club that is ready to take the journey in a new and exciting direction, not one that is ready for the journey to come to an end.
"This is what I have always known Liverpool to be – a club of journeys and adventures, some that end with trophies and some that don't but whatever happens there are always stories and moments that are unforgettable.
"In my time here we have been blessed with quite a few and it is important that I stress that what we have done has always been underpinned by stable, intelligent and creative ownership. Again, I could not be more grateful for this but I am also excited because I know that this will continue going forward and that can only be good news for Liverpool FC.
"Finally, to the supporters I have only thanks and love. Everything that we have done has been because of you, with you and for you. I have referred many times to the banner on the Kop which says Unity Is Strength and I think this is a belief that we have all lived up to.
"The important thing now is that it continues so that my successor can have the same benefits of it as I've had. After Sunday I will be a supporter too, so hopefully I can play my part in that.
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