Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Theo Squires

What Jurgen Klopp made Pep Lijnders do and four other things spotted during Liverpool trophy celebrations

Liverpool are FA Cup winners for 2022! The Reds made it a domestic double as they once again got the better of Chelsea on penalties at Wembley.

The Reds didn’t have it all their own way as man of the match Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson were both denied by the woodwork, while they lost Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to injury, as there was nothing to separate them and Thomas Tuchel’s side for the fourth time this season.

But once Alisson had saved from Mason Mount in the penalty shoot-out, Kostas Tsimikas stepped up to clinch Liverpool’s eighth FA Cup win and prompt jubilant scenes in the red half of Wembley.

LFC RATINGS: Diaz and Alisson superb as three others shine

LFC VERDICT: Jurgen Klopp becomes immortal but the best could be still to come for Liverpool

READ MORE: Liverpool officially most successful club as Manchester United trophies compared after FA Cup win

Jurgen Klopp became the first Reds manager to win every major honour going as Liverpool lifted yet another trophy, prompting another trophy shuffle from captain Jordan Henderson as they continue to chase an unprecedented quadruple.

But with the Reds squad continuing to celebrate on the pitch long after first getting their hands on the trophy, here are some of the moments you might have missed from the celebrations.

Salah and Mane myth dispelled

There are some who would have you believe that Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane do not get on behind the scenes at Anfield. A couple of on-field disagreements on the pitch have fuelled such suggestions, but the duo made a mockery of the myth once again at Wembley.

As Liverpool celebrated in the corner in front of their travelling fans as Chelsea went up to collect their medals, the duo shared the biggest of hugs and were deep in conversation.

More than just celebrating the win, there would have been a feeling of commiseration between the pair too after Salah limped off in the first half of a major final for the second time in his Reds career, potentially leaving him as a doubt for the Champions League final, while the Egyptian would know all too well how it feels to miss a big penalty in a shoot-out.

Mane scored both times for Senegal at Egypt’s expense in the Africa Cup of Nations final and to qualify for the World Cup earlier this year, with Salah denied an opportunity to take one in the former and missing his effort in the latter. But against compatriot Edouard Mendy, it was the Senegalese’s turn to miss as he was denied the chance to be the match-winner.

It matter not come the final whistle, but knowing the mentality of these two Liverpool champions, you can imagine they’ll both feel a little frustration about their FA Cup-winning experience.

The Pep Lijnders fist bump

The sight of Jurgen Klopp fist bumping repeatedly in front of Liverpool fans is a common sight at Anfield, and indeed at away grounds after the most memorable of wins.

As a result, it was no surprise to see the German decide to salute the travelling Reds in such a manner on more than one occasion at Wembley as he made sure to pay tribute to them in every corner.

Yet he wasn’t alone on one occasion, insisting assistant manager Pep Lijnders joined him in his unique celebration. Considering the Dutchman is touted as a possible replacement for Klopp one day, maybe it’s a sight Kopites will grow more accustomed to see at some point in the future.

Though, with Klopp signed up until 2026 after agreeing a new contract last month, he’ll have company for such celebration for some time yet. Hopefully starting with Paris in two weeks’ time.

Piggy back!

Harvey Elliott might not have been in the matchday squad for the FA Cup final but he certainly enjoyed himself in the celebrations. And you couldn’t miss the boyhood Liverpool fan at the heart of the action as he wore a Mohamed Salah face-mask.

The youngster also made sure to include Reds press officer Matt McCann in the celebrations, chasing after him before the trophy lift to jump on his unsuspecting colleague for an impromptu piggy back.

He wasn’t the only member of the squad to celebrate in such a fashion though, with Sadio Mane also taking the opportunity to leap on Joel Matip.

Kung fu Bobby!

Bobby Firmino’s always gonna Bobby! When it was his turn to hold the trophy aloft in front of the Liverpool fans behind the goal, he couldn’t resist doing so with his own personal flair.

Lifting it aloft three times, as each of his team-mates, he then performed a kung-fu kick while holding the trophy, replicating the goal celebration we’ve seen from the Brazilian so many times before.

Keita keeps a lid on it

As Liverpool’s players took it in turns to hold aloft the cup, the trophy was missing one particular piece - its lid.

Fortunately it wasn’t lost as Naby Keita was keeping a particularly close eye on it! The Guinean opted to wear the lid as a hat for the majority of the celebrations. Looking good, Naby lad!

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.