JURGEN KLOPP has admitted he will be on his best behaviour at Villa Park on Monday as he looks to avoid a touchline ban.
Klopp is on two yellow cards for the season and another one would see him miss his Anfield send-off next weekend against Wolves.
The Liverpool boss has vowed to “try absolutely everything” to avoid picking up a yellow against Aston Villa in Liverpool’s penultimate game of the season.
When asked if he knew he was at risk of a ban, the manager said: “I’ve known that for a long time. We could turn it around and say I’ve only had two yellow cards all season. A few of my colleagues got suspended right?
“I got calmer over the years obviously. I don’t need to be [on the touchline for the final day] but it would be cool. I will try absolutely everything to not get involved in any kind of ‘discussions’.”
Klopp’s final game in charge of Liverpool will take place against Wolves on Sunday May 19.
The Liverpool boss announced this would be his final season in charge of Liverpool back in January.
He is widely expected to be replaced by Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, although the Dutchman refused to take any more questions on his future in a press conference last week.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta is also walking a similar tightrope to Klopp.
The Spaniard has also picked up two yellow cards across the season and is one booking away from missing the final day.
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That could be momentous, with Arsenal currently top of the Premier League.
It comes after Islington council confirmed plans for a trophy parade are in place should The Gunners take the title.
Arsenal travel to Manchester United this weekend before playing Everton at The Emirates on the last day of the season.
They are currently one point ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand to play on Thursday against Tottenham.
By Dave Kidd
NOW we know Jurgen Klopp’s final major trophy haul at Liverpool — one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and (if you must) a World Club Cup.
But where does his reign stand among the greatest of the Premier League era?
In black-and-white terms, Klopp is way behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, the only two men to have won multiple Premier Leagues and a Champions League at the same club.
Those two sit alongside Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Matt Busby as the undoubted all-time managerial greats of the English game.
But Klopp ranks in the next tier down — with Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho (the Chelsea version), Bill Shankly and Don Revie.
These were all men with the strength of character to transform their clubs in their own image and enjoy success but who did not win as much as they might have done.
Had Klopp managed to keep his intentions under wraps and ended up with another title, perhaps even a treble or quadruple, he’d have edged himself up into that highest echelon with Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, Paisley and Busby.
But deciding the timing and the manner of your exit is one of the toughest calls for any manager or sportsman.
Klopp got it wrong.
Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.
Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.
