He is almost certainly going to fail in this mission, but Jurgen Klopp would really rather like it if every Liverpool match from now until the end of the season – most notably the ones at Anfield – doesn’t become all about him.
The Reds boss attempted to put a stop to all mentions of him walking away until the end of the campaign at his press conference following Friday’s shock announcement, but again he must have known what awaited him before the clash with Norwich. And then during it. And then after it.
The best he could hope for is that supporters keep a lid on things when it comes to thanking him for his efforts over the years. And if they just take a look at what is unfolding in front of them right now then that should be something easily achievable.
There is incredible talent all the way through the Liverpool ranks after all, and the win over Norwich showed that in abundance, with four players who have come through the academy all starting the game and another coming off the bench in Trent Alexander-Arnold.
What’s more, four of the five goals were set up by one of those academy players, with the impressive James McConnell, on his first start, teeing up the first for Curtis Jones with a superb lofted ball, and then the effervescent Conor Bradley – so good in recent weeks – teeing up Darwin Nunez for the second.
Jones made the third with a long ball from the back that sprung Diogo Jota into a perfect position for him to do what he does best, and then after Virgil van Dijk had headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner for the fourth, it was back to academy assists when Bradley drove over a cross for Ryan Gravenberch to make it five from close range
Ever since he was thrust onto the pitch in the closing stages of the FA Cup win at Arsenal Northern Irish youngster Bradley has quite simply not put a foot wrong, and his presence could well end up seeing Alexander-Arnold make the starts in midfield that many crave.
Bradley hasn’t quite been the find of Liverpool’s season though as that honour goes to Jarell Quansah, 21 on Monday, who has turned in a series of assured performances at the back and demonstrated a Van Dijk-like ability for a raking crossfield pass. McConnell is a little further back in his development meanwhile, while Jones has matured to become one of the first names on the teamsheet and a regular goal threat from midfield. He’s only 22.
Klopp’s assertion that he would only leave the club when he was sure that the squad was in a healthy place for the next manager is seen as the key reason that he is walking away, and the young talents sprinkled throughout the side mean that whoever is coming in could hardly be doing so at a better time.
