Klopp preparing for one final party with the Anfield crowd (Picture: Getty)
Jurgen Klopp is at risk of missing his own farewell party at Anfield if he receives a touching booking in Liverpool’s penultimate game of the season against Aston Villa.
The German coach will step down as Liverpool boss after nine years at the helm at the end of the season with his last game in charge at home to Wolves on the final day of the Premier League campaign on 19 May.
It promises to be a party atmosphere on the red half of Merseyside as the supporters bid farewell to the manager who lifted them back to the summit of English football in 2020, winning seven major trophies during his time at the club.
Before then, Liverpool head to Aston Villa on Monday night for their final away game of the campaign.
Klopp has been booked twice this season against Burnley and Luton in February and November respectively and a third on Monday night would see the Liverpool boss handed an automatic touchline ban – to be served at Anfield against Wolves next week where he would be banished to the stands.
But the Liverpool boss has vowed to be on his best behaviour and will look to avoid any confrontations that could see him landed in trouble.
‘I’ve known that already for a long time,’ Klopp told a press conference on Friday.
Klopp will get a touchline ban if he is booked against Villa on Monday (Picture: Getty)
‘When did I get the second yellow? By the way we could turn it around and say I only got two yellow cards while some of my colleagues got suspended, right? Hmm. I got calmer over the years, obviously.
‘I don’t need to [be on the touchline v Wolves] but it would be cool that I could do that. It will not be from my side. I will try absolutely everything not to get involved in any kind of discussions.’
A win will see Villa confirm fourth place and qualification for next season’s Champions League, along with third place Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta meanwhile finds himself in a similar dilemma, one yellow card away from receiving a touchline ban.
The Gunners are top of the Premier League but have played a game more than Manchester City, who sit a point behind them.
Arsenal take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and a booking for Arteta would see him banned from the dugout for the final game of the season against Everton – where they could be lifting the league trophy for the first time in 20 years.