Klopp Declares Himself ‘Super Happy’ with His Liverpool Legacy

Liverpool's German manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after his team victory at the end of the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 20, 2023. (AFP)
Liverpool's German manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after his team victory at the end of the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 20, 2023. (AFP)
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Klopp Declares Himself ‘Super Happy’ with His Liverpool Legacy

Liverpool's German manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after his team victory at the end of the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 20, 2023. (AFP)
Liverpool's German manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after his team victory at the end of the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 20, 2023. (AFP)

Outgoing manager Juergen Klopp's nine-year spell at Liverpool may have included some big near-misses, but the German manager said he has no regrets for the ones that got away.

Under Klopp, Liverpool lost the Premier League by a single point in 2018-19 - but they roared back to win it the following season.

They also lost the Champions League final in 2017-18 only to clinch that title the next year.

The initial setbacks did nothing to weaken his resolve, Klopp told "The Times."

"If my career didn’t teach me how to deal with setbacks, then there is no career for that," Klopp told the paper ahead of his last game as Liverpool manager on Sunday, at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"Millimeters, inches decided things for us. I know for people it makes a massive difference if I won more. If I win three, I am definitely a successful manager. If I win one in nine years, people can argue it. But I couldn't care less.

"From time to time you get it and from time to time they get it. I'm at peace with it."

Klopp said he felt responsible for the process of change Liverpool would have to go through following his departure but added that he knew this was unavoidable.

"There's a lot of uncertainty for the people, and I didn't want that for them. But I knew if I did it in another year or another two years, it would be exactly the same for these people," he said.

"That cannot be the reason for not doing it. I had to overcome that. I had to think of myself first, which doesn't happen a lot, actually."

During his tenure Liverpool also won a Club World Cup title, an FA Cup and two League Cups, and the 56-year-old said that overall he was happy with the memories he has made at Liverpool.

"Could it have been more successful? Yes. With me? I don't know. We did absolutely everything. I am very self-critical but I do not reflect on this in a critical way. I am super happy with my time here... I look back with a smile," he said.



Norris Fastest in Final Practice as Piastri Hits the Wall

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP
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Norris Fastest in Final Practice as Piastri Hits the Wall

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.Mark Thompson/Getty Images/AFP

Lando Norris lapped fastest in final Canadian Grand Prix practice on Saturday as Formula One leader and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri hit Montreal's wall of champions.

Norris lapped the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in one minute 11.799 seconds, 0.078 quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who was back on track after crashing on Friday and missing second practice.

The Briton had described the previous day's practice as McLaren's worst Friday of the season but appeared more comfortable in the last track time before qualifying.

Mercedes' 2024 pole-sitter George Russell was third, 0.151 off the pace, with Ferrari's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth and 0.251 slower than Norris.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, chasing an unprecedented fourth successive Canadian win on Sunday, was fifth fastest with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso sixth.

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was seventh and Piastri eighth, with the Australian briefly triggering red flags when he skimmed the famed wall at the last corner and scattered debris with 37 minutes to go.

The championship leader was able to get back out again with 24 minutes remaining.

The Australian leads Norris by 10 points after nine of 24 rounds.

Carlos Sainz was ninth fastest for Williams with teammate Alex Albon 10th.