Jurgen Klopp spotted smoking at the Titanic Hotel before the last game

A father and son couldn’t believe their luck when they bumped into Jurgen Klopp on his last day as Liverpool manager.

Alan Hayes, 40, and Alfie Hayes, 8, were on a bike ride from Bootle when they passed the Titanic Hotel on Sunday 19 May. Fans gathered outside the hotel to greet the Liverpool team as they made their way to Anfield. .

Alan and Alfie joined fans outside the hotel before going for a bike ride down the road. Behind the Titanic Hotel they saw Klopp himself smoking just hours before his last game at Liverpool.

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Alan caught Klopp on camera waving in their direction. Alan told the ECHO: “I was just on a bike ride. We usually come through here and go back to Bootle.

“I saw the fans here this morning and thought we’d wait and try and get a look. With him walking too, to take one last look at him before he left. I know they (the team) come here for most of their home games.

“We were ready to go, we were taking a last walk up there and saw someone taking a picture and thought ‘no way is that there’.” This boss. He gave us a little sign”.

Alan supported Liverpool all his life thanks to his father who was also a Liverpool FC fan. Speaking about Klopp, Alan said: “I’m a bit disappointed he’s leaving but I’m convinced I came here.”

Fans could be heard screaming and cheering as the Liverpool manager made his way to Anfield this afternoon. Andre Buhr was among those who traveled from Frankfurt to Germany to be at Liverpool for Klopp’s final game today.

Andre was hoping to see a game at Anfield for the first time next year to mark the 50th anniversary, but said: “Jurgen told us he wanted to leave before then so I took the opportunity by chance and spent a lot of money on a flight and ticket in February for hospitality.”

Speaking about Klopp, Andre added: “He’s not a normal manager, he’s more like a friend – and that’s what makes this group of people so special. Give strength.” You can buy a special Liverpool ECHO Klopp souvenir here.

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