Author Topic: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK  (Read 146081 times)

Offline 24/7

  • "All that we are and what we do reflects who we are and what we become."
  • Campaigns
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 38,336
  • INSPIRE Starts With "I"
    • Breakthrough Leadership Coaching
  • Super Title: Guru Jim
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #40 on: June 28, 2020, 08:45:21 pm »
What make are they? Mrs P works in optics so I'll be able to impress her next time Klopp's on the telly.
I honestly can't remember but I'll post a pic of them when I collect them week after next ;D
Breakthrough Leadership Coaching at https://jimsharman.com/

Offline Kloppo.GER

  • Boys Pen
  • *
  • Posts: 11
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #41 on: July 9, 2020, 02:41:58 pm »
Also, in Germany we are all still in love with Klopp <3
His emotionality, his statements, how he manages to form outstanding teams

Offline Razors Razor

  • Sworn enemy of Occam's Occam.
  • Anny Roader
  • ****
  • Posts: 395
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #42 on: July 12, 2020, 03:24:07 am »
I love this man. Thank you Jurgen for bringing a big smile to my face.

Offline duvva 💅

  • lippa RAWK Diivva, broke Kenny's sky
  • Matchday Commentator
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 22,347
  • LFC Quiz Rivals Most Hated
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #43 on: July 24, 2020, 01:02:29 am »
Can’t be said enough really, What a great man Jürgen is.
"If you don't limit yourself with bad thoughts, you can fly" - Jurgen Klopp

Offline Jamie_G

  • Believer
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Kopite
  • ******
  • Posts: 623
  • Internet Terrorist
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #44 on: August 21, 2020, 09:43:01 am »
Thank you from th bottom of my heart Jurgen. The things my son and I have seen and done with this incredible team are the stuff of dreams.
Bill Shankly to Ian St John - 'If you're not sure what to do with the ball, just pop it in the net and we'll discuss your options afterwards.'

Morpheus: Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?

Offline redtel

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,338
  • Sir Roger-Scored first goal ever on MOTD.
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #45 on: December 3, 2021, 11:07:55 am »
Should have done this much sooner, but thanks Jurgen for all your work in getting this squad together and performing such exciting watchable football.

Wednesday evening at Goodison was a perfect example of how you channeled the angst from a year ago into playing football and what football. The first 30 minutes were played as we all dream of playing. Fast, accurate movement of the ball and players resulting in two excellent goals and a host of chances. The skill and movement was intoxicating to me.

I’ve been lucky enough to have seen all our great teams since Shankly first arrived and this one is right up there. To cap it all off it’s been done whilst topping the fair play league with no dark arts needed. Again, thanks to your beliefs on how the game should be played.

We are definitely believers and looking forward to watching us play again which I think you mentioned was your aim on arrival. Can’t get enough of watching this squad coupled with a terrific set of people working behind them.

You have, and still are creating history.
We are definitely believers and we’ve won the fucking lot!

Offline AlphaDelta

  • Creepy, geeky, recidivist hose-spotter, checking out the size of your engine as we speak......
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,452
  • People's Republic of Liverpool
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #46 on: December 13, 2021, 01:35:55 pm »
Thank you Jurgen, for giving me the greatest football I’ve ever seen this team of mine play.

Over the years I’ve watched some amazing performances, but I’ve watched some performances that have left me numb. Managers have come and gone in my time, Souness, Evans, Ged, Rafa, Roy, The King and Brendan, but Jurgen Klopp is the greatest.

2004 I watched us beat Arsenal with a Neil Mellor last minute belter, that performance was the best I’d seen in ages, I remember 2016 when Brendan Rodgers put out a team featuring the likes of Kolo Toure, Joe Allen, Fabio Borini, leaving Gerrard, Sterling and Coutinho on the bench against Real Madrid. Imagine throwing the towel in before we’d even kicked off!

Thank you Jurgen for making us one of the true giants in world football. We fear nobody. We are Liverpool Football Club.
"I ask that you believe in this team and believe that together we can achieve great things."

Offline ToneLa

  • you know the rules but I make the game.
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 10,404
  • I AM FURIOUS, RED (STILL)
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #47 on: January 26, 2024, 06:58:12 pm »
Thank you Jurgen Klopp
While the heart hangs heavy right now, what you did for us will last always.

You're on the Mount Rushmore of our manager legends. And our legends are the best to ever do it.

You're in that pantheon of the elite. And you did it with soul, with character, with love, with our spirit, forged together.

YNWA

Offline rob1966

  • YORKIE bar-munching, hedgehog-squashing (well-)articulated road-hog-litter-bug. Sleeping With The Enemy. Has felt the wind and shed his anger..... did you know I drive a Jag? Cucking funt!
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 48,904
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #48 on: January 26, 2024, 09:17:12 pm »
I'm gonna miss you when you've gone - I hope you take the Germany job so we can all get behind youonce again.

Thanks for winning the lot, bringing so much joy and for being one of us.

YNWA
Jurgen YNWA

Offline Wabaloolah

  • Rocks to the East, Rocks to the West. Definitely Unscotch.
  • Matchday Commentator
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 27,028
  • Allez Allez Allez
    • My Twitter Account
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #49 on: January 27, 2024, 02:34:37 am »
Stuff feels raw, still feels numb, I've still not come to terms with it. Next season will be weird but thanks boss, thanks for giving us our club back, thanks for the trophies, the fun and the joy of watching the reds play football.

I know you won't accept it but it really was all because of you.

Thank you YNWA
However if something serious happens to them I will eat my own cock.


If anyone is going to put a few fingers deep into my arse it's going to be me.

Offline Lfc19ynwa

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,123
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #50 on: January 27, 2024, 05:35:28 am »
Jurgen, thank you for the tears,laughs, trophies & sheer joy you have given us all over the last 9 years.

You will be sorely missed , but we have to respect your wishes , it’s the least we can do after all you have done for us

Y.N.W.A
« Last Edit: January 27, 2024, 05:50:09 am by Lfc19ynwa »

Offline Raaphael

  • A fucking embarrassment. Hot 4 Andrew Tate. Works out so beware wokies
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,522
  • Oh yeah? Well fuck you too Greta Gerwig
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #51 on: January 27, 2024, 07:10:33 am »
Thank you. One of a kind. Forever greatful. Genius manager, wonderful human being. Love him.
« Last Edit: January 27, 2024, 07:13:11 am by Raaphael »

Offline ScottishKopite

  • Kopite
  • *****
  • Posts: 543
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #52 on: January 27, 2024, 09:51:32 am »
I woke up this morning in a good mood and it instantly hit me about Jurgen seconds after getting out of bed what horrible feeling well and truly gutted.

Offline Red_Mist

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 8,926
  • CORGI registered friend (but not a gas engineer)
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #53 on: January 27, 2024, 10:27:20 am »
Psst, he’s not gone yet.

Offline Runehammer

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Kopite
  • ******
  • Posts: 631
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #54 on: January 27, 2024, 10:39:50 am »
Jurgen, thank you for the tears,laughs, trophies & sheer joy you have given us all over the last 9 years.

You will be sorely missed , but we have to respect your wishes , it’s the least we can do after all you have done for us

Y.N.W.A

Yeah this in a nutshell for me also.  YNWA

Offline McrRed

  • Member of International Hill Climbers Group. Only gets happy endings at Christmas.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,170
  • In the town where I was born
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #55 on: January 27, 2024, 01:20:33 pm »
So, so glad you're a Red, Jurgen.
Thank you for the amazing times - and access to some of the best bragging rights possible!

Offline Keith Lard

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 6,699
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #56 on: February 5, 2024, 01:36:54 am »
I can't find the words ... just the greatest. He gets us. A true gentleman that deserves to ride off into the sunset with all our blessings and support
Pour yourself a drink and enjoy watching a genius in red - John Barnes || https://youtu.be/XEJfzUSH4e4

Offline Jwils21

  • Justwindy,innit,lowestspeed21 (knots)
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,028
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #57 on: February 5, 2024, 10:46:59 am »
Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Can, Lucas, Milner; Firmino, Benteke, Coutinho

29th of August, 2015. West Ham’s Diafra Sakho cooly slots the ball past Simon Mignolet at the Anfield Road end, capping a miserable day at the office for Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool under the shadow of the construction works of the new main stand. I was with my mate, we’d gone on my parents season tickets as they were away on holiday. We trudged out, bemoaning the lack of fight in the team. The highs and inevitable disappointment of 2013/14 were still fresh in the mind. Elsewhere on the same day, last seasons star man Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for Man City in a win over Watford to cap a miserable day. The mood around Anfield was quiet and hopeless, resigned to maybe the odd battle for 4th.

We headed into The Park pub for a couple of post game pints to drown our sorrows, and quickly got chatting to a rather lively group of Scandinavian gents. They were singing, dancing and drinking - it was like we’d just won a semi. They explained how a group of them fly over 2 or 3 times per year, stay for the weekend and go the match. Our original plan was to have a couple of pints while waiting for the crowds to calm down, but we ended up sticking around for a good few hours chatting about the reds and sipping Irish Whiskey with our new found mates. We ended up on the last train home, with dizzy heads and sore throats after an evening of chatting, singing and laughing. I headed home to my Nan’s house, where I was staying for the weekend. I sat and had a brew with her and my staunch Evertonian Grandad who couldn’t resist a chuckle when hearing about the stereotypical Norwegian reds I’d had a great afternoon with. We stayed in touch with the lads, hoping to meet up one day in the future.

Mignolet; Flanagan, Toure, Sakho, Moreno; Henderson, Lucas, Can; Milner, Firmino, Lallana

January 2016, my Nan was unexpectedly taken into Hospital and one Monday afternoon we had the call to say she was approaching the end of life. The day after, we played Stoke in the League Cup and I took the same mate again. You'll Never Walk Alone is a song that's always connected my family, particularly to my Nan, who was as red as they come. She had seen us in our true glory days, often remarking how she loved Roger Hunt and his "lovely pair of legs". Singing before the game was tough as I did it through tears, but felt comfort in knowing that as long as I had Liverpool FC, I would have that connection. I am very grateful she got to see us under Jurgen, who in her words was a "big handsome fella". After she passed, I would often go to visit my Grandad and watch the footy, especially on days when us and the Blues were both on the telly. He was old school, he appreciated good football and would rather see a Merseyside victory than anyone else. He passed away a few months later, but we found some comfort knowing he wasn't without the love of his life for too long.

Karius; Gomez, Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane

The next time I heard from one of the Norwegian lads was September 2017. He text, saying he had a spare for the upcoming Champions League game against Sevilla. When we met, it was outside an Anfield with a much changed mood, a more hopeful crowd excited to see what was to come this year. The name on everyone’s lips was Mohamed Salah, who had been amongst the goals already and was beginning to look like a shrewd signing. In the shadow of the new main stand, Salah scored in an eventual 2-2 draw. Not a victory, but the feeling around the whole stadium had changed. Salah, Mane, Firmino and Coutinho were on their way to becoming the Fab Four.

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Shaqiri; Salah, Firmino, Mane

The 2018/19 season, after the heartbreak of Kyiv, and a mate of mine went travelling so handed over his season ticket for the year. By now, we had a formidable team and were fighting on all fronts. We were a joy to watch under Jurgen. In December of that year, my Grandad on my Dads side was taken into hospital. Whenever we would visit, the first thing he’d ask was for us to show him the latest highlights on the iPad. The last highlights he saw were of the 1-0 win over Everton, with Origi’s last minute winner. During that game I was sat 3 rows in front of my parents, and you can imagine my surprise to see my dad’s head appear next to mine as he flew down all 3 rows after the goal to celebrate with me. His relationship with his Dad was built on a mutual love of the reds, and unbeknownst to us at the time that was the last game that my Grandad would’ve seen in his 80+ years as a red.

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane

June 2019, and its Champions League final day again. We had a party in the house where I invited my still rather new girlfriend, and I don’t think she was prepared for the scenes that evening. Smoke bombs in the garden, jagerbombs in the house, tears of joy and hugs for all. Jurgen Klopp has made us Champions of Europe again. For my Nan, it was a bittersweet moment as she knew how much her late husband would have enjoyed it. But she carried on his passionate love of the reds, and has been there through all of our recent success cheering on Jurgens Liverpool. For my Dad, he toasted the heavens and knew his Dad would’ve been watching over the reds that night. What a team, what a party.

Jurgen Klopp is an outstanding human being, and for me his era contains so many memories. He took over when I was in my early twenties, and he leaves with me recently turning 30. I don’t live in the house where the European Cup final party happened in 2019, I’ve since moved out and bought my own home, with the girl I brought along to the festivities who is now my wife. I owe so much of my happiness over those years to Jurgen Klopp and what he stands for. The notion that someone "gets" a football club is thrown around lazily these days but Jurgen truly understood what this football club is about. He managed to maintain the old fashioned feel of the club and honoured our traditions, whilst on the pitch crafting a team built to compete with the modern giants.

He came here with a project, and left with a legacy, and I along with countless others will be forever grateful for Jurgen's reds.

Offline redk84

  • (and nothing else!)
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 6,186
  • why must we always do things the hard way?
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #58 on: February 19, 2024, 09:06:29 am »
What a fella
Changed the mentality of the club from top to bottom and led by example...the sort of man you'd want associated with your club being a fan of football. Moved the right way...said the right things. He just gets us.
Best manager in my memory (was too young when Kenny was here first time) - hopefully not the best manager I'll ever see but the bar is so high now.

Hope there are a few more great memories to come this season.... The footballing gods owe you another PL title but even if we win nothing it matters not a jot.

Thank you
All Those Who Have A Red Heart Can Rejoice.
For They Have Seen GOD.

Offline A Complete Flop

  • More flop than flip.
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 10,775
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #59 on: February 25, 2024, 07:43:18 pm »
An amazing manager but even more amazing human being,
Soccer - let's face it, its not really about a game of ball anymore is it?

Offline Wabaloolah

  • Rocks to the East, Rocks to the West. Definitely Unscotch.
  • Matchday Commentator
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 27,028
  • Allez Allez Allez
    • My Twitter Account
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #60 on: February 26, 2024, 08:39:50 pm »
However if something serious happens to them I will eat my own cock.


If anyone is going to put a few fingers deep into my arse it's going to be me.

Offline rocco

  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 37,598
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️6 Times Baby ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #61 on: April 16, 2024, 03:04:44 pm »
Thanks 🙏 Jurgen been the best of times , will hate to see you go but love to see you enjoying your new life .

Nothing but the best of memories, left us much stronger than you found us and I’ll always be thankful of that and all the trophies and great football we’ve played more times than not .

Offline el_nariz

  • Main Stander
  • ***
  • Posts: 100
  • We all Live in a Red and White Kop
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #62 on: April 26, 2024, 12:58:16 pm »
Nice one Jurgen, 9 years later, it was everything I hoped it would be.

All the best.

Offline koptommy93

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 8,745
  • @tharris113
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #63 on: May 14, 2024, 06:14:50 pm »
Hurts that he didn't win another title, but still what an effort. Thank you for so many amazing days.
I for one welcome our new insect overloads

Offline oojason

  • The Official RAWK Audio Visual God. Founder Member of the Ricky Gervais' 'David Brad Fan Club'.
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 24,422
  • The Awkward Squad
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #64 on: May 15, 2024, 12:43:19 pm »

Amazing memories that would look out of place as being too far-fetched in many a Hollywood script.

Well in to Jurgen and all the backroom staff.
.
Some 'Useful Info' for following the football + TV, Streams, Highlights & Replays etc - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=345769

A mini-index of RAWK's 'Liverpool Audio / Video Thread' content over the years; & more - www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=345769.msg17787576#msg17787576

Offline liversaint

  • Beach boy giver of yuletide joy to ha-run-run-reindeer
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,345
  • Settle down Beavis
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #65 on: May 16, 2024, 09:41:16 pm »
9 years of some massive highs, horrible lows and the memories created by someone who just got the club, fans and the City.

Thanks Jurgen, you’ll never be forgotten.
You say Honey? I say Fuck off.

You dont win friends with Salad

There is another option. Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple.

Online Draex

  • Geek God of Typing Letters. Hugo unleashes Jaws? Purveyor of fuel products in Kent.
  • RAWK Supporter
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 16,917
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #66 on: May 18, 2024, 09:03:12 am »
I now understand intensity is our identity isn't just about what happens on the field but everything that encompasses our club, it's been an intense 9 years, no quarter given, every game with meaning.. I understand why he needs a break, to rebuild the club from where it was, on and off the field, took a very special person, someone who you see once in your lifetime, some on here you lucky bastards, saw it twice with Shanks.

Players love you, we love you, your humilty, confidence and energy fit our club like a glove. It's been said a thousand times this week, turning doubters into believers but I'd argue it went further than that, under this great man we now demand the greatness he built on his big german shoulders. Every game we walk into it expecting we should win, not through unplaced arrogance but from a place that we go again, and again and push ourselves to do the impossible.

I personally don't care about trophy counts or what anyone outside of our club thinks, for me it's about the feeling deep inside my heart that will never go from what you helped us all achieve and for that I'd like to say is thank you, you've given me some of my greatest life experiences, from Barca to West Brom and more, what a ride.

I look forward to regaling tales of the teams you built and their brilliance to my kids and also, knowing the deep foundations you've built, they can experience their own as we enter a new dawn.

Again, danke schon Jurgen.

Offline coolbyrne

  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,675
  • Ground Control
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #67 on: May 19, 2024, 03:45:23 pm »
I could list all the wonderful memories you'll leave behind, but I don't have to, because you were there, too. We were there together, and that's what matters, isn't it? John Oliver said it beautifully when he said trophies are ephemeral; it's the memories that you get to keep and treasure forever. They'll never be able to take those away from us. You deserve all the best things in life, Jurgen. You gave me some of mine.
Oh, these sour times.

No one admires resilience when you were just plain wrong all along - that's just twattishness.

Offline Terry de Niro

  • Cellar dweller fella, ya know
  • RAWK Scribe
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 55,730
  • Are you talkin' to me or chewin' a brick?
    • Terry O'Shea @184tosh
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #68 on: May 22, 2024, 02:04:00 pm »
What a man, what a legend.
Up there with the best.
Danke and Auf Wiedersehen Jurgen.

Offline AlphaDelta

  • Creepy, geeky, recidivist hose-spotter, checking out the size of your engine as we speak......
  • Legacy Fan
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,452
  • People's Republic of Liverpool
Re: Jurgen: thank you from RAWK
« Reply #69 on: May 22, 2024, 05:40:41 pm »
Bit of a long post this, but couldn't think of anywhere else to put it.

At around 4.00am in the morning on Sunday 24th February 2019 I stood outside the entrance to Whiston Hospital, Merseyside. It was still dark, mist drifted under the lamp posts and there was not a soul about. Fifteen minutes previously my mum had passed away as I held her hand after suffering a stroke at home on the Wednesday evening. She was only 69 and she was my best friend.
As I stood in a daze, my head spinning I could not even contemplate how life would go on for me. My mum raised me single-handedly and I still lived at home with her.

I went to my uncle’s house for a few hours sleep and then took the decision to return home, conscious that we were top of the league and playing Man United. The house was exactly as we had left it when the young pretty female paramedic said to me, “we need to go NOW”, and we raced to Whiston Hospital on blue lights and sirens. I remember absolutely nothing from that game, other than it was a dour nil-nil stalemate.

As you would expect, my life was a whirlwind in those initial days, shock, grief, disbelief, emptiness, exhaustion. For the first week I stayed in my uncle’s as I could not take being in the house alone of a night. I vividly remember us beating Watford 5-0 and Mane scoring that audacious backheel. I remember giving a half-hearted weak smile for whilst I was still lost in grief, it briefly took my mind from this ongoing nightmare.

In the coming weeks I built up the courage to return home permanently. I would be off work for a while so I could throw myself into arranging mum’s funeral, going to the council to beg them to let me stay in the house, then buy the house, arrange a mortgage, find a solicitor, the whole circus.
Football wise, some games I literally don’t remember, others I clearly do. My mates bless them formed a protective bubble around me and my home became a venue for all Champions League games. We would sit, drink beers, eat pizza and watch us demolish Bayern Munich in Germany. I would cheer when we scored, but it was half-hearted because I was still a broken man.

Slowly but surely, I was starting to take more interest in our fixtures because of our run in the Champions League. Before mum had died, I had paid for a holiday with my mates to Philadelphia for seven nights. I knew the Barca second leg would be whilst we were away, and I was confident I would find somewhere to watch it out there. Getting beat 3-0 was tough to take so I flew out to the green fields of Pennsylvania and didn’t really think much about footy. When we were about to kick off in the second leg, I looked at the team news and wrote us off. I feel guilty for it even now, but I said to my mates, ‘nah, I’ll check my phone’. At the time we were in the middle of a place called Delaware, one of the smallest states in the USA and driving between small towns.
It was middle of the afternoon over there and a beautiful sunny day so the idea of watching us get beat was not high on my priority.

And then Wijnaldum made it 2-0!

We quickly found a sports bar in a small town called Symra and I managed to watch the last 20 minutes with a few locals who were quietly bemused at my shouting and screeching. It quickly dawned on me that I’d ballsed up though. I had been invited with some close friends for a weekend in Austria at the end of May and after the first leg defeat against Barca, I agreed and now flights, car hire and digs has been booked.
I gave it considerable thought, I was still a bit raw, the adrenalin of going to America had faded and maybe some quiet time in the Austrian Alps would do me good? I told the guys I would go, only if I could find a bar showing the final.

At this stage, the funeral had been and gone and I was in the process of getting my very first mortgage for somewhere I had lived all my life. Coupled with the grief, it was a really tough time, and I was trying to do my best.
To give you a glimpse into my grief, I have always had a love for travelling, airplanes, trains, boats, coaches, I do not care, I love the buzz of going somewhere new. My mum loved that I was so passionate about this and as mum’s do, insisted on packing my clothes and getting me ready anytime I went somewhere. When I would return from my adventures, she would be there with a big hug and a beaming face, ready to listen enthralled to what I had been up to. That had now been snatched away from me. I had to pack my own stuff and when I came home from holiday, I came into an empty house which was deafeningly silent. It killed me.

Thursday 30th May 2019 I left my house for Lime Street station. Before I left I spoke to my mum’s ashes which are in a box in my living room, I ‘asked her’ that seeing as I had endured a lot of sadness lately, could she try make sure the reds don’t get beat.
The first weird thing following that was 45 minutes later when I’m stood on an empty platform at Lime Street waiting for my train, from right above my head a single white feather gently floated to the ground and landed directly at my feet. Now the reality was a pigeon probably met its demise by flying into the overhead wires, or got winged by the Euston express, but the chances of a single white feather landing in front of me when nobody else was about?

I flew to Munich with a small group of mates, hired a car and drove down to Austria. It was a beautiful journey, especially when you cross the border near Salzburg. We stopped at a service station for a beer and a sandwich and I remember looking out at the mountains and contemplating life.
We stayed in an air B&B house on a hillside with the nearest village being Dorfgastein. I won’t lie, it was probably the most stunning place I had seen in my life, just mountains and hills as far as the eye could see. The house was like one of those Hansel and Gretel type of houses made of wood, no neighbours for ages, and even that was a farm.

The owners had left us food and drinks for us – including beer – so I was literally chuffed. My first thought though was the game on Saturday. The telly in the house only had the basic channels and looked unlikely to show any footy, besides, I wanted somewhere with atmosphere and copious amounts of alcohol.
An internet search prior to flying out had revealed one or two potential venues in the town of Bad Hofgastein, about 20 minute’s drive away, so we drove down Friday to check them out, both were unsuitable. One was a café bar for bikers which was tiny, the guy behind the bar said they might show it, but it wouldn’t have sound and the TV screen was the size of a beer mat!
The second wasn’t much better, they had a band on instead so wouldn’t be showing any sports.

We headed to the smaller village of Dorfgastein which was nearer our house and had a stroll around the centre of the village. It was picturesque, no denying it, little restaurants and ice cream parlours, a church, a few shops and then, as we walked down a street, there was an electronic sign displaying a bouncing football and the Champions League logo, could it be? It was part of a hotel and I went in and spoke to the barman. Yes, it was being shown but no, I couldn’t book a seat. His parting words being, “get here early, we are likely to be very busy”.

The next day the butterflies returned and I was genuinely nervous for the game. The three lads I was with were all older than me and had no interest in football. It was agreed that they would drop me off early for the game and then they would go and find a restaurant for a meal and come back at some point in the second half to meet me.
Kick off was 9.00pm local time and I got to the hotel for 7.00pm hoping to get a table at least. To my utter shock it was absolutely empty other than a couple of bored looking bar staff!
I picked the best table in the place, right in front of a large flat screen telly on the wall and made myself comfortable with a few bottles of Stiegl Goldbrau.

It was being shown on Sky Sports Germany so with my mates off to have their own meal, nobody else in the bar other than staff, I had to listen to Michael Ballack and Didi Hamann debate our chances in their native tongue.
The view out the window was different, the mountain tops still had snow on them and there wasn’t many people walking around. I thought about my mates back home, some were going into town, others having their own party in their garden. Others I knew had travelled to Madrid and were having their own adventures.

Kick off arrived and it was surreal, nobody else had turned up, I had literally had the bar to myself. The barman looked up briefly when I shouted, “COME ON REDMEN!” when the players walked out, other than that, nothing, silence.
I can vividly remember jumping up out of my chair when we got awarded the pen and cheering, only to turn around and see an empty bar, it really was the most unusual scene.

After about 20 minutes three locals came in and were showing slight interest in the game, followed by another two people later on. At one point I shouted out and clapped, probably because we'd won a corner, and one of them shushed me, sssshhhh! I was incensed and turned around to glare my disapproval.

Thankfully, as promised, my mates came in for the second half and the rest is history. Origi done the business and I was out of my seat, fist pumping and beaming. When the final whistle went, I had the biggest smile on my face that couldn't be wiped off and then I realised, I hadn't thought about my grief for a few hours, for the first time I had relaxed and taken my mind off the nightmare of the last few months.
Initially I felt a bit guilty, but then I knew mum would want this.

That night, through a combination of Austrian beer and adrenalin, I slept soundly for the first time in ages. The next morning I sat on the balcony overlooking the mountains and green hills as the sun blazed down on my face I felt the first feelings of acceptance and ease. It was then that I remembered the white feather at Lime Street, the request to my mum to 'don't let us lose', and I wondered, did she make it happen?

The moral of this story, if there is one, is that Jurgen Norbert Klopp was the manager of the club I love during the most difficult and most traumatic part of my life.
He gave me the release I so badly needed and most of all, he put me on the road to recovery after the death of my mum.

Danke Jurgen!





"I ask that you believe in this team and believe that together we can achieve great things."