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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
John Richardson

Jurgen Klopp sends Roberto Firmino message after he's allowed back on pitch despite ban

Jurgen Klopp was allowed back on the Anfield pitch after his touchline ban to complete the after-match guard of honour for Liverpool's departing ‘Fab Four’.

There were presentations led by Kop legend Sir Kenny Dalglish to Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It helped lift the mood after the draw against Aston Villa, which all but put paid to Liverpool ’s chances of playing in next season’s Champions League.

Klopp admitted: “Bobby is a super, super story. He scored a fantastic goal, something he has been doing for years. It’s something we are going to miss. He has won many games for us.

“It was clear in the second half that we needed to calm down. We scored a goal that was allowed and scored a goal that was disallowed so it is a draw which is okay.

“We have not been good enough this season for too long. But in the last seven weeks, we have played very well. The people are not angry with us. They are looking forward to next season and so am I.”

A victory for Villa against Brighton will see Villa in the Europa League and manager Unai Emery admitted: “I am proud.

Jurgen Klopp was allowed on the pitch after the game (Getty Images)

"I challenged the players two or three months ago when we were scratching around near the bottom of the league – and I was in the minority – believing that we could finish in the top ten.

“I wanted to arrive at the last game against Brighton with something to play for. We are motivated, the supporters are motivated to now have the chance of playing in Europe.

“We were playing Liverpool in the best moment of their season trying to get into the top four. To get three points would have been fantastic but the last 10 minutes were difficult because they had the crowd with them.”

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