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Jürgen Klopp on the flight back to Liverpool from London

Photo: Andrew Powell / Liverpool FC / Getty Images

The first title win on his farewell tour at Liverpool FC was a special victory in his career for coach Jürgen Klopp - so special that it was hard to separate it from the trophy.

A photo shared by Liverpool shows Klopp sleeping on the flight home with the cup in his arms.

»It is an evening I will never forget.

If no one else sees it that way, no problem.

For me it's a really nice memory forever," said Klopp after the 1-0 (0-0) win in the League Cup final at London's Wembley Stadium against Chelsea.

“There are longer careers than mine, but in more than 20 years this is by far the most special trophy I have ever won,” said Klopp.

"It's absolutely extraordinary."

Dutchman Virgil van Dijk headed the decisive goal on Sunday evening in the 118th minute of a thrilling and fast-paced final.

Klopp necessarily used a lot of young players.

"I'm sure when we brought all the kids into the game people thought, 'Okay, that's it, they give up, they have a game on Wednesday.' But that really wasn't the case," said Klopp.

He started with the 20-year-olds Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott and had four other young players on the bench with Bobby Clark (19), James McConnell (19), Jayden Danns (18) and Jarell Quansah (21).

»Sometimes I'm asked if I'm proud of this, proud of that, and that's really difficult.

I wish I could feel pride more often, but I just don't," said the emotional Klopp: "But tonight I have the overwhelming feeling: 'Oh my God, what's going on here?' I was proud of everyone who were involved in everything here.

What an academy full of character.”

Among others, Klopp was missing Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez, Alisson Becker and Joel Matip due to injury.

Dutch international Ryan Gravenberch also suffered a ligament injury during the game.

An X-ray examination of the former Bayern player did not reveal any fracture.

Three more titles are possible

Klopp and league leaders Liverpool can still win the English football championship, the more valuable FA Cup and the Europa League this season.

The former Bundesliga coach will leave his club in the summer after nine seasons.

Liverpool won the League Cup during his term in 2022 - also in the final against Chelsea.

»I don't care at all about my legacy.

I'm not here to do one thing," said Klopp about his remaining tasks: "As a manager of a football club, you're there to do your job." That's why it's not a problem if the coach leaves.

»If these people left – our fans – that would be a problem.

But as long as they are the way they are, Liverpool Football Club will be fine - and that's the most important thing," emphasized Klopp.

ast/dpa/sid