Aghast, dismayed and utterly crestfallen, his face wearing a look of all-consuming shock, the young lad simply refuses to believe what the television reporter in Liverpool city centre has just told him.
Out of the blue, all his worst nightmares have just come true. The manager who has thrilled a generation of fans on the red half of Merseyside has suddenly quit.
"He's leaving Liverpool?" another fan asks, suspecting the TV camera was part of some elaborate ruse. "He wants a rest," explains the reporter. "He said he gets very tired, the pressures are great, he wants a rest. I've just been at a press conference where he announced it." That was 1974. The Granada reporter was Tony Wilson, later a key player in the Madchester music scene. The departing Liverpool manager was Bill Shankly.
Fifty years on, Jurgen Klopp's Anfield departure stunned an entire fanbase in just the same way. In a heartbeat, the club's most decorated era for decades looked like it was over. Following Klopp as Liverpool boss? Impossible.
Halfway through the club's first season without the charismatic German though, Liverpool had raced six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with a game in hand. Anyone predicting that last January, on the day Klopp announced his exit, would have received some strange looks. "There's a care home next to where I live, and I'd have sent you in it," chuckles former Reds title-winner Mark Lawrenson.
Yet, far from getting weaker, Liverpool have only improved under Arne Slot.
THIRTY YEARS OF HURT
Klopp's greatest day should have come at a packed Anfield, on May 9, 2020.
Winning the Champions League a year earlier was special enough, but the club's 19th league title, a first for 30 years, was his finest hour. Liverpool were 25 points clear when COVID shut down football that March, the trophy presentation pencilled in for the final home game of the season, against Chelsea in early May.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MY PERFECT XI ANITA ASANTE
The former Lionesses defender selects a cosmopolitan side brimming with talent and guided by an all-time great
Complete TOSH
John Toshack's remarkable career took him from Wales, Liverpool and Real Madrid to Azerbaijan, Morocco and Iran. After a brush with death in 2022, he tells his story to FFT
30 WONDERKIDS WHO FADED
FFT remembers the young stars who slipped by the wayside, via backflips, seal dribbles and a suffering goose
Diego on for The son of God
Growing up as the initially unrecognised offspring of Diego Maradona wasn't easy, but after winning his dad's heart and enjoying success in beach soccer, the Neapolitan explains why he's now found peace
VIVA LA REVOLUTION
Horrified at the Glazer family's impending takeover two decades ago, a group of Manchester United fans went to church. FC United was their divine inspiration, a phoenix club born at the heart of the community
SCOTLAND'S OTHER DERBY
It may lack the Old Firm's toxicity, but Edinburgh's head-to-head is no less hostile. FFT went to witness it first hand
LIFE BEGINS AT 40
Now in his fifth decade, Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of retiring - not with a World Cup in his sights and while still scoring for club and country. But should that decision be taken out of his hands, and could less be more?
SUCCESSION
Bob Paisley delivered glory when he followed Bill Shankly as Liverpool boss. At other clubs, though, following a legendary gaffer has had mixed results...
SING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING
FEATURE FOOTBALL SONGS SING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING From El Tel to John Barnes, footballers once delivered a string of memorable tunes and even the odd No.1 FFT salutes a lost tradition
