Klopp wins final game as Liverpool manager, Luton relegation confirmed: Premier League final day – as it happened

Right, that’s it from him and that’s it from me. I’ll leave you with the report from Anfield today:

“There’s no overhaul needed,” he adds. “This team developed so quickly. We’re ahead of schedule – coming third is a statement in this strong league.

“I’ve had my bad moments as well, but not today.”

One last word from Jürgen as he heads over to the Sky cameras. “I expected to more or less a breakdown, but I enjoyed it so much … I’m standing here and I’m somehow over the moon, I can’t explain it.”

Families and friends time on the pitch now as the players mill about with their kids and partners on the pitch, with Klopp still beeming, doing the rounds, posing for a snap with Alexis Mac Allister’s family.

Alisson comes over to Kelly Cates and Jamie Carragher for a chat with Sky Sports, bringing his tiny toddling son with him. “I will have so many good memories,” says the keeper. “I’m so grateful to have been able to play under Jürgen Klopp.”

Klopp is back out, standing with Van Dijk, who still has his camera strapped around his body. Anfield is nine-tenths empty now.

As Klopp, his staff and his players head back down the tunnel, at the Etihad Kyle Walker is about to lift the trophy:

Trent Alexander-Arnold has tears in his eyes, and though the camera keeps zooming in on Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk looking for a trace of wistfulness perhaps, a glint in the eye to say “this is goodbye from me too”, they’ve instead been pretty poker-faced through it all.

Indeed in Hulk Hogan-esque fashion he’s giving all four sides of the ground the full treatment.

“I love you to bits,” Klopp tells Anfield. “Thank you, you are the best people in the world. Thank you.”

And with that he sprints towards the Kop one last time and punches the air as the crowd roars. Good stuff.

“Don’t stop believing,” he tells the Anfield crowd, describing the fans as “the superpower of world football”.

“We decide if we are worried or excited. We decide if we believe or don’t believe. And today I am one of you, and I keep believing in you. I’m a believer, 100%.”

And then he starts chanting Arne Slot’s name. Which felt a bit awkward. “Go all in from the first day,” he tells the crowd.

“I’m so happy, I can’t believe it,” says Klopp. “I’m so happy about the game, the atmosphere, about us, how we celebrated this day. Thank you.”

“For whatever reason, it doesn’t feel like an end, it feels like a start. Today I saw a football team playing full of youth and full of talent and desire.”

View image in fullscreen

And he gets a selection of miniature trophies of his various Anfield honours. Nice.

Out comes Jürgen Klopp. He doffs his cap, taps his hand to his heart, then waves to all four sides of the ground, a huge smile on his face.

Red Bull Salzburg-bound Pep Lijnders gets a big ovation as he walks out. One to go.

I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like this before, certainly not in English football. All the Liverpool players are out there lined up to applaud Klopp’s backroom staff, one-by-one, onto the pitch. No one has left the stands, even a fair few Wolves fans have stuck around. It’s quite the scene.

As more coaches get their farewells, Klopp is left alone briefly in the Anfield tunnel.

Next up it’s Joel Matip, who is clearly much-loved by his teammates. Followed soon afterwards by head of fitness and conditioning Andreas Kornmayer, which could be a first. General manager of first team operations Ray Haughan, a club servant of 16 years, is next. We could be here a while …

First out through the guard of honour to receive an Anfield farewell is Thiago Alcantara. He hugs Virgil van Dijk, who I now notice has his own SLR camera strapped around him.

At Anfield there’s a plinth set up in the centre circle. John Henry is out there, as is Kenny Dalglish. Out come the players to form a guard of honour. Klopp comes out wearing a red hoodie emblazoned with the words: “I’LL NEVER WALK ALONE AGAIN.”

Roberto De Zerbi gets a warm send-off at the Amex as he bids goodbye to Albion’s fans. Where he will rock up next is anyone’s guess …

And the final Premier League table:

Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Brentford 2-4 Newcastle
Brighton 0-2 Man Utd
Burnley 1-2 Nottm Forest
C Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Luton 2-4 Fulham
Man City 3-1 West Ham
Sheff Utd 0-4 Spurs

View image in fullscreen

But back to Anfield, where Jürgen Klopp is embracing every member of Liverpool staff he can find. John Henry gets a quick hug too.

“I’ve got no words,” Virgil van Dijk tells Sky Sports. “It’s been an emotional day. It was always going to be a tough afternoon.

“You can’t prepare for these situations, these moments. He deserves every bit of the love that he is getting at the moment.”

Full-time at Kenilworth Road and confirmation of what was already basically confirmed before kick-off, Luton are down.

It’s all over at the Etihad and Manchester City are Premier League champions for a fourth time in a row.

View image in fullscreen

A weird delay at the Etihad as Bernardo Silva and Haaland attempt to convince some pitch-invasion-ready fans to return to their seats. Unsuccessfully.

As the chants ripple around Anfield the referee blows his whistle and brings the Klopp era to an end. Liverpool have finished it off with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolves.

View image in fullscreen

That was a strange one. Again, given the score at City, it’s a footnote. But that would’ve gone down as a famously controversial decision had West Ham surprised City.

It stands, despite what looked to be a handball from Jesus in the buildup.

Havertz pokes home an 89th-minute winner for Arsenal. How dramatic that might’ve been in other circumstances. Instead it’s a footnote. And VAR is now getting involved. Oh good.

West Ham briefly think they have a goal back … but Soucek has extremely obviously handballed before bundling home. That might’ve made the final few seconds a little tense.

Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe hits the bar with a volley as the Gunners look for a winner.

Unlike Klopp, De Zerbi isn’t going to get a winning farewell at the Amex. Rasmus Højlund makes it 2-0 to the visitors.

View image in fullscreen

Ten minutes to go in the 2023-24 Premier League season. Tissues at the ready at Anfield, champagne on ice at the Etihad.

View image in fullscreen

A bit of confusion at Bramall Lane. Trusty the process – he’s not in fact been sent off.

Bruno Guimaraes restores Newcastle’s two-goal lead and solidifies their grip on seventh spot.

View image in fullscreen

Red card! Auston Trusty proves anything but at Bramall Lane – he’s been sent off.

Josh Cullen gives the Clarets hope at Turf Moor.

Eze with his second – this is turning into a pretty miserable day for Unai Emery’s side.

Yoane Wissa brings Brentford back into it – and Newcastle’s grip on European football is looking a little looser.

View image in fullscreen

United have had a bit of a pasting at the Amex by all accounts but Diego Dalot has given Erik ten Hag’s side the lead.

View image in fullscreen

Havertz hitz the bar with a header at the Emirates. Arsenal need a miracle now, though.

Harry Wilson makes it four for the visitors.