Jurgen Klopp’s final games as Liverpool’s manager are fast approaching, and he needs to be on his best behavior during the trip to Aston Villa if he wants to be on the touchline for his emotional farewell at Anfield against Wolves on May 19.
The stakes are high for Klopp, as he is just one yellow card away from a touchline ban. Accumulating three cautions in a season would result in him being forced to watch his last game from the stands. With two yellow cards already shown to him this campaign, Klopp knows he has to keep his emotions in check during his penultimate game.
Referee Simon Hooper holds the key to Klopp’s fate. The two have a history, with Hooper being the official in Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham earlier in the season. Klopp openly admitted that he still can’t get over that loss and having Hooper as the referee adds an extra layer of tension to the upcoming game against Aston Villa.
During a recent press conference, Klopp expressed his frustration with the situation. He acknowledged that the presence of Hooper on the touchline during the Everton game was difficult for him and that he struggled to focus on the match. With his time in the Premier League coming to an end, Klopp knows he has more to say, but he must resist the urge to let his emotions get the better of him before his last game.
It’s worth noting that Klopp already has a suspended punishment for his comments against referee Paul Tierney last season. This means he cannot imply bias or question the integrity of the referee without facing a one-match suspension.
The message for Klopp is clear: Get through these two games with caution, and then he will be free to express his thoughts and feelings without any consequences. As Liverpool fans anticipate his departure, they will be hoping that Klopp can maintain his composure and lead the team to a successful end to the season.