All eyes were on Liverpool vs Spurs as the penultimate home game under the leadership of Jürgen Klopp took place. Going four goals up and conceding twice only when they took their foot off the gas, the Reds put on a bit of show.

Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliott and Mohamed Salah were all excellent and if Liverpool can maintain that against Aston Villa and then Wolves, as well as giving Klopp the most fitting send-off, it will also shape the narrative of the summer. Ending on a high means that the beginning of the Arne Slot era will be welcomed in with as few question marks as possible.

As Liverpool put a few past Guglielmo Vicario in the Tottenham goal, Slot's Feyenoord was dismantling PEC Zwolle (incidentally, one of the clubs that the 45-year-old coach used to play for). Ayase Ueda, Santiago Giménez (two), Luka Ivanušec and Lutsharel Geertruida all scored in a 5-0 victory.

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During the Liverpool game, Klopp's song rang around Anfield even when the scoreline was only 1-0. The German never likes that sort of thing to begin too early, but so near the end of his tenure, now is not the time for arguments.

And something similar was going on at Feyenoord. 'Stand up for Arne Slot,' was the chant in Rotterdam, the Daily Mail's Lewis Steele reports, with the departing boss responding with a wave. At the end of the match, he even did his own version of Klopp's full-time fist pumps.

Liverpool is yet to announce that Slot will be taking over as its new head coach but the Dutchman is expected to arrive at the end of the season. He is the chosen candidate with Liverpool having undergone an extensive search and Feyenoord, like Liverpool, has just two matches left before the summer, with his final home game on the same day as Klopp's last match at Anfield.

"I'm sitting here with the Feyenoord emblem on my chest, so in principle, the intention is that it's all about Feyenoord," Slot said on Friday ahead of the weekend's game. "I have said before that I am confident that it will be done. I don't know when that will be. But I expect an agreement will be reached."

Slot plays similar football to Klopp and clearly has a bond with the Feyenoord support. If there is one thing that any Klopp successor needs, it is an ability to say the right things and it appears the Dutchman has the right kind of character.

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Arne Slot says sometimes life provides opportunities where “you have to listen” ahead of his anticipated appointment as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool.

The Athletic reported in April Liverpool and Feyenoord have agreed a compensation package that will allow Slot to take charge at Anfield.

Speaking after Feyenoord beat PEC Zwolle 5-0, the 45-year-old said he watched the beginning of Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur earlier on Sunday before his side’s Eredivisie win.

“I saw a few minutes of the game but we had to come to the stadium,” Slot said. “Just the first goal, a great goal. It was a good win from Liverpool. If the official confirmation is there, and I go there, I will watch a lot of games from them.

“Sometimes in life, opportunities come along and you have to listen. I have made that choice for myself. In the next days and weeks, you will see the announcement.”

Slot attracted interest from Tottenham last season before he opted to remain with Feyenoord, having guided the club to the Eredivisie title.

He continued: “Last year I made the choice to stay and now, I probably made another choice.”

All you need to know about Arne Slot

Slot confirmed last month that he wanted the Liverpool job, telling ESPN before Feyenoord’s league win over Go Ahead Eagles that he was “confident” an agreement would be reached between the two sides.

Liverpool placed emphasis on discretion and showing respect to Feyenoord ahead of the Dutch Cup final on April 21, a match they then won against Nijmegen, and their interest in Slot only became apparent subsequently. 

Klopp announced in January he would be departing Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years in charge. The 56-year-old guided Liverpool to their 2019 Champions League triumph followed by a maiden Premier League title in 2020. 

Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-2 at Anfield thanks to goals from Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.

Meanwhile Feyenoord’s victory leaves them second in Eredivisie, with PSV Eindhoven securing the league title on Sunday thanks to a 4-2 win over Sparta Rotterdam.

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What I learnt meeting Arne Slot: charismatic, innovative - but a big bet by Liverpool

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Arne Slot says sometimes life provides opportunities where “you have to listen” ahead of his anticipated appointment as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool. The Athletic reported in April Liverpool and Feyenoord have agreed a compensation package that will allow Slot to take...

Liverpool has two games left in which to say goodbye to Jürgen Klopp. Technically, at least, it has forced the title equation down to those final two matches.

Of course, the last vestiges of hope went out with the West Ham draw, and Liverpool's end to the season is now all about giving Klopp a fitting send-off. There was a huge step in the right direction against Tottenham, with the result and performance much more like it in the manager's penultimate Anfield outing.

He will say goodbye to supporters for the last time on May 19. There could hardly be a more fitting final-day opponent than Wolves, who seem to fulfil that function almost annually, including in both seasons where Klopp missed out to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City by just a point.

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The margin is likely to be a little bigger this time, although Klopp can justifiably point to the Luis Díaz VAR farce from earlier in the season, the Martin Ødegaard handball or any number of other egregious calls that together proved decisive. But for now, Liverpool must put all of that to one side, using the last couple of opportunities to truly celebrate this great manager.

However, there's a nightmare scenario where Klopp has already unknowingly had his Anfield swansong. That's because he is one booking away from a suspension, which would see him banned from the touchline in the final-day Wolves encounter.

Bookings for managers have increased sharply this season, and Klopp has already seen yellow twice. With the threshold for a ban set at three, he must get through the Monday night encounter with Aston Villa without being cautioned, or else face a hugely anti-climactic end from the stands at Anfield.

Liverpool.com says: Presumably, Klopp will be well aware of this risk, and will try to keep a lid on things against Aston Villa. And with the competitive stakes now more or less removed, he shouldn't have too much to get worked up about.

But Klopp has always been one to wear his heart on his sleeve on the touchline, and he takes every game seriously. You do fear the possibility that he could cross the line with the fourth official and see the yellow card brandished.

That would be a hugely unpopular decision on Merseyside. If the worst happened, Klopp would presumably still be permitted to take the applause of Anfield after the game, but he belongs in the dugout one last time. Hopefully this scenario remains in the hypothetical realm.

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Mohamed Salah was in inspired form as Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-2 at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with the Egyptian forward making Premier League history

Mohamed Salah was in inspired form as Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-2 at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with the Egyptian forward making Premier League history

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo scored and produced an excellent all-round performance against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday to send his side on the way to victory. Starting ahead of Darwin Núñez, he fully justified his inclusion.

The Reds went ahead through Mohamed Salah's header, perfectly set up by Gakpo. And the Dutchman later rose to head in an effort of his own during an excellent performance on and off the ball.

But there is still work to be done for Gakpo's full potential to be unlocked at Liverpool. Since signing from PSV for around $46m (£37m/€43m), the 24-year-old has struggled for consistency.

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"I don't know if he is an out-and-out number nine," Daniel Sturridge said live on Sky Sports post-match. "It's more about the role and what the manager wants.

"Him and Darwin Núñez are very different. If you play one of them in a tactical system, it is because you are trying to win in a certain way.

"As an attacker, having confidence is what enables you to play at a level that maybe people don't expect you to do. It's about having a run of games consistently."

"It's like with any big club, with any position you're playing on the pitch, you've got to be consistent," Roy Keane added. "The manager's got to be able to trust you and there are some players at Liverpool where Klopp has maybe lost that little bit of trust.

"You might get that in the summer. You never know... new manager, different dynamics and personality. But if you want to be a top player at a top club, you have to turn up every week. He doesn't quite do that at this moment in time."

It will certainly be interesting to see how Arne Slot gets the best from Gakpo. While it is far too easy to suggest that because both are Dutch they will have a good relationship, Slot's love for wide players does offer an opportunity.

Gakpo has mainly played through the middle during his time with Jürgen Klopp but he was bought as someone who almost exclusively played off the left flank. Ousting Luis Díaz from that role will be tough, but the change of manager in the summer provides a clean slate.

Whoever is the most consistent is likely to win out. And with more matches thanks to a Champions League place being secured this week, Liverpool and Slot will need as many reliable attackers as they can get.

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A very select few can manage Liverpool. Even fewer can be succesful. Jurgen Klopp, though, has passed the test with flying colours and tried to describe what it takes.

Klopp took Liverpool from a team struggling to qualify for Europe to world champions in just over four years.

Winning the Premier League and European Cup has cemented him as an all-time great, but it was more than just Klopp’s on-field exploits that endeared him to supporters.

When asked what it takes to manage Liverpool, the German was at first unsure but went on to say: “I think I understand a little bit of football. I mean that’s probably my skill.

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“I love people and especially football players so, from that point of view, it was not difficult.”

It was a pretty modest response from one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever managers. Before that, though, he did verbalise his thoughts and explained which part of the job he finds most tiring.

The German was clear in his answer that doing press and speaking to the media “is very difficult most of the time.”

Explaining why, Klopp said: “It’s just that’s really draining when you always have to talk and explain things most of that you cannot explain.

“When you’re winning, it’s fine because then you can speak about individuals, fantastic performance, stuff like this, but we cannot do the same when we are losing.”

Speaking about post-match press conferences after defeats, the coach explained what he dislikes about the questions he faces.

“We single out a player and you speak about him and he was particularly bad, so let’s talk about that for the next 10 minutes,” the German said.

“That means that cuts off 50, 60, 70 percent of the things you can say, but you’re still asking.”

Klopp is a football man and his comments back that up.

“Actually being manager of Liverpool, the pure football side – coach the team, do the stuff we do, grow together as a unit – I love that part,” the boss emphasised.

“But still, I’m not the right man to do that as well anymore, but what is really hard is you, that’s the outside world, is really hard…

“People ask me ‘Will you miss it?’

“Probably, but I don’t know, I’ve never had it.”

While Jurgen may not miss every element of him being Liverpool manager, we certainly will.

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Jurgen Klopp felt his Liverpool team delivered in terms of performance and result as they put their title heartbreak aside to beat Tottenham 4-2.

The Reds’ hopes of winning the Premier League were effectively ended by a series of frustrating results over the past few weeks.

But with the pressure off, the Merseysiders were closer to their fluent best as they dealt a blow to Spurs’ top-four prospects at Anfield on Sunday.

Klopp, who now has just one more home game remaining before standing down as manager at the end of the season, said: “I really liked the way the boys played. I liked the individual performances, how we played together. So many good things.

“It was a really good football game, and I think that’s what everybody should expect from us – results as well. We delivered both.”

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Liverpool stormed ahead as Mohamed Salah put his recent spat with Klopp behind him to head the opener before Andy Robertson tapped in a second.

Cody Gakpo added to the lead with a fine header and Harvey Elliott curled in a sublime fourth from outside the area.

Yet after Spurs rallied with goals from Richarlison and Son Heung-min, Klopp admitted the closing stages were uncomfortable.

He said: “Did I expect us to be 4-0 up? No. Did I expect us to be at 4-2 and Ali having to make two more worldie saves? No.

“But when you think about it, it’s not unlikely because before the game, for Tottenham, if they win they are fully back in the fight for the Champions League.

“For us it means we are third. We cannot change that any more, probably, in either direction.

“What you saw as well was Tottenham is Tottenham, they are really good and when you let them do that then they’re especially good.”

Spurs’ defeat was their fourth in succession and meant they squandered a chance to cut the gap to fourth-placed Aston Villa, who lost earlier in the day.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou, however, felt his team at least showed signs of improvement.

The Australian said: “Obviously it was a hugely disappointing outcome for us but at least we were more like ourselves today in terms of our football.

“Even in the first half, some of our football, our pressing, was back to where it should be.

“But we lacked a real cutting edge for sure. We just had nothing in that front third, and that allowed Liverpool to get comfortable.

“And when they got forward their front guys were quite lethal in pouncing on our mistakes.

“So yes, 4-0, we’ve got a mountain to climb but, when we play like ourselves, we always finish strong.”

Postecoglou played down an incident as the players left the field at half-time when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario stepped in to defuse a heated exchange between Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal.

He said: “They care. It hurts them. They’re not going to just be happy with the current situation. They want it to improve.

“So there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, as long as it’s done in a constructive way.”

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Roy Keane has opened up on his feelings towards Jurgen Klopp and his management style at Liverpool

Roy Keane has opened up on his feelings towards Jurgen Klopp and his management style at Liverpool

Liverpool are into the final two matches of Jurgen Klopp's tenure in charge at Anfield but the Reds boss will need to avoid one more booking which would result in a suspension

Liverpool are into the final two matches of Jurgen Klopp's tenure in charge at Anfield but the Reds boss will need to avoid one more booking which would result in a suspension

The Liverpool boss spoke about Harvey Elliott's form after his goal against Tottenham in the 4-2

The Liverpool boss spoke about Harvey Elliott's form after his goal against Tottenham in the 4-2

Jurgen Klopp has admitted a lesson learned when it comes to Stefan Bajcetic‘s reintegration, after a tough first cameo back for Liverpool against Tottenham.

Bajcetic made his first appearance for the senior side in over seven months as he replaced Wataru Endo with half an hour remaining on Sunday.

The Spaniard had built up his minutes with the U21s after a lengthy spell out, but it was something of a surprise to see him thrust into action regardless of Liverpool being 4-0 up.

His lack of sharpness showed, with fellow substitutes Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch also culpable as the Reds lost control and shipped two goals.

And speaking to BBC Sport after the 4-2 win, Klopp suggested it was an oversight in bringing Bajcetic on at this stage in his long-term recovery.

“The changes we made, would I do exactly the same again? I’m not sure!” he joked.

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“But Macca played all the time, going up and down, up and down; [with] Wataru, you have Stefan who looks really good in training.

“But today obviously you saw, he comes on and it’s like you arrive on the motorway with your bicycle.

“It takes then time again to adapt to it, first ball not great, then you go down [a goal], all of a sudden organisation was gone.

“That’s not helpful. Then they were then flying. We had that game before [in last season’s 4-3], a similar game before, they are just really good.

“But we controlled them for so long, that’s obviously most important. Somebody else can sort that next season!”

Of course, this will not have been an afternoon that will define Bajcetic’s time at Liverpool, and in fact it could be particularly useful as he rebuilds.

But with the U21s taking on Crystal Palace in a last-16 tie earlier on Sunday, it begs the question of whether his steady uptake in minutes would have been better served with a full 90 at the AXA Training Centre.

Nevertheless, it was encouraging to see Bajcetic back in the first team, in what is surely a sign of things to come next season under Arne Slot.

Klopp showed his belief in the 19-year-old – misguided on this occasion or not – and Liverpool still came away with all three points.

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