LONDON • Liverpool fans perched on rooftops, speed cameras and bus shelters on Sunday afternoon. Others clambered up lamp posts and sat astride traffic lights.
The open-top bus transporting Jurgen Klopp's squad was reduced to a crawl by the number of fans turning out to celebrate their sixth Champions League/European Cup triumph.
By the time it reached its destination, almost four hours had passed, and Merseyside police estimated that up to 750,000 people had lined the streets.
The sight of families, young and old, standing shoulder to shoulder was a vision to behold and highlighted how the supporters have been unified behind an institution that was idling before Klopp's arrival in October 2015.
And that is why the club's owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), wants him to oversee the construction of a dynasty at Anfield by staying on as the manager beyond the three years remaining on his annual £7 million (S$12.1 million) contract.
The German spent seven years each in his previous positions with Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, but FSG feels he can break new ground.
There is a belief that a young squad are primed to challenge consistently for the top honours under Klopp - who received the loudest cheers as he hoisted the trophy into the air - so the club's hierarchy is keen to tie him down.
Liverpool also want to ward off rival interest, with Bayern Munich great Franz Beckenbauer telling German daily Bild yesterday the 51-year-old was "one of the best coaches in the world" and would be a "good fit" at the Allianz Arena.
Reds chairman Tom Werner said: "When the players threw Jurgen in the air after our victory, they were acknowledging what all Liverpool fans know - he is beloved by all who appreciate football.
"Jurgen is a brilliant coach, but just as importantly, he is a humble and caring man."
Of the turnout for their 12.8km victory parade, Klopp joked: "I don't know exactly how many people live in Liverpool but it does not look like there is a lot (of) space for fans of other clubs.
"It is incredible. If you are a young kid, which do you support?
"There are not a lot of opportunities or options other than Liverpool.
"You see in the eyes how much it means. It is really intense."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE TIMES, LONDON
Obituaries for the last 7 days on Your Life Moments.
Football: Pep Guardiola's biggest challenge is to find successors to ageing quartet. As Manchester City have dropped only 14 and 16 points respectively in the last two seasons, there is not much
How Pep Guardiola's Man City starting XI has changed since
Jurgen Klopp has shut down any suggestion that he could leave Liverpool to take the reins at Bayern Munich, with the German pointing out that he has "a long-term contract" at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Tottenham analysis, Champions League final
When Lim's company Meriton Holding, bought 70 per cent of Valencia's shares in a €100m takeover, he became not just the club's first foreign owner in its 95-year history but one of a kind in La Liga. It did not please them to be the first club to sell out in that way but things have changed. They are also happier post-Neville.
Three years after Gary Neville's disastrous reign, Valencia
The Asian Football Confederation announced Tuesday that for the first time an all-female referee team will take charge of a men's continental club cup clash. Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi will officiate the AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash
Liverpool will hope to pile the pressure on Man City by beating Southampton and returning to the top of the Premier League this evening. Live from St. Mary's, Friday Night Football returns to Sky
Liverpool beat Chelsea to return top of Premier League
Why Bayern Munich have not yet bid for Man City winger Leroy Sane. The German champions are interested in one of Manchester City's players but have not yet tabled a bid
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane: Rummenigge
Read more about 'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba on Business Standard. Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club.Saturday's fixtures were the first round of Premier League games since the player's death was
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba | AFP.com
The UEFA Champions League trophy is unveiled in Madrid on May 29, 2019 ahead of the final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on June 1. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions
Manchester City: How Pep Guardiola's team wowed Match of the Day pundits. Manchester City's route to the Premier League title has been untouched by serious opposition - a coronation in the making
ROAD CLOSURE & PARKING INFORMATION: Madison VanDenburg's
Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half are becoming a "big problem", after they beat Slavia Prague to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Football: Gordon Banks' illustrious career extended beyond iconic save Gordon Banks, the England football team's goalkeeper when they won the 1966 World Cup, died aged 81. His former club Stoke announced this on Tuesday (Feb 12) and Banks' family said he died peacefully in his sleep overnight.
Football: England bids farewell to World Cup-winning 'keeper
Manchester City retain Premier League title in come from behind win over Brighton half City looked like throwing away a fourth title in eight seasons. but English football. City has won
Manchester City win back-to-back Premier League titles after
FIFA moved a step closer on Friday to expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and hopes to confirm the plans in June if a suitable co-host can be found. An internal feasibility study
APNewsBreak: FIFA study backs 48-team World Cup in 2022
0 comments:
Post a Comment