The Reds prevailed 4-1 to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League, defying a string of injuries in the process. Klopp reacted to the final whistle by venturing onto the pitch and fist pumping towards all four sections of the ground, later saying he would take more inspiration from the win than their famous Champions League fightback against Barcelona.
And he candidly said he does not “give a s***” what others made of his elaborate behaviour. Klopp also weighed-in on a similar debate around Arsenal’s players and manager, who were fiercely criticised by Jamie Carragher for their own post-match antics after beating Liverpool last month.
Mikel Arteta appeared to leap around wildly for each of Arsenal’s two second-half goals in their 3-1 win. And afterwards, Martin Odegaard jovially took a camera of one of their cameramen and started taking photos, prompting Carragher to say “get down the tunnel” live on air.
“I heard the discussions that Mikel over-celebrated the win against us. That definitely did not come from me,” he said. “You do what you do for yourself and your people, and what the outside world thinks about it, I couldn’t give a s***, to be honest. And you can write that exactly like that.
“You can make of my celebrations what you want. I didn’t invent fist-pumps and I don’t have the copyright on it and I don’t want it. This is for us and nobody else. Who likes it, likes it, and who doesn’t like it, doesn’t like it.”
Indeed, Klopp has frequently fist pumped towards supporters in the aftermath of wins. And after Divock Origi’s late winner against Everton in the merseyside derby in December 2018, he famously ran across the field with arms aloft as Anfield erupted.
The German boss is likely to be emotional on Sunday, given the possibility of it being the final time he manages Liverpool at Wembley. But his team are still fighting for trophies on four fronts, also still in the FA Cup and Europa League competitions.
Klopp confirmed in January he will be leaving Liverpool in the summer, which would bring up eight-and-a-half-years in charge. He has insisted he won’t be reversing his decision irrespective of what silverware his side might win this season.
