Despite watching his team fail after coming agonizingly close to lifting the title, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will have something to take home from the campaign. The German was named Premier League’s Manager of the Season for 2021/22 ahead of league winner Josep Guardiola.
Apart from Pep, Klopp beat fellow nominees Thomas Frank (Brentford), Patrick Vieira (Crystal Palace), and Eddie Howe (Newcastle United). The German was named the recipient of the award at the annual League Managers Association Awards dinner on May 24.
Klopp thanked his coaching staff in his acceptance speech but lamented that his side Liverpool lost out on the title to Manchester City. In the end, the Reds finished a point behind their rivals after a tumultuous last day of the season, during which, at one point, they only needed a goal to get over the line.
“It was a bit nervy, it wasn’t the best outcome for us, but we are already over it. And when you win a prize like this you are either a genius, or you have the best coaching staff in the world. I am here with four of my coaching staff, and they know how much I appreciate them,”
he told those present at the awards gala.
The Reds accumulated 92 points throughout the campaign and lost just two of their 38 games, the fewest in the division. Furthermore, the Reds scored a whopping 94 goals (joint-second in the league) and conceded just 26 (joint-best).
Within the ‘big six’ mini-league, Klopp’s men drew both home and away against City, Chelsea, and Tottenham; they beat Manchester United and Arsenal in all four of their fixtures with a combined aggregate score of 15-0.
Despite a league campaign that ended in disappointment, Liverpool did win both the domestic cups on offer. They are due to compete in their third final of the season later this month when they play Real Madrid for the UEFA Champions League trophy on May 28 at the Stade de France.
