Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he will return to Anfield next year after enjoying a hero's welcome during Saturday's legends game. The former Liverpool manager was part of Sir Kenny Dalglish's coaching team for the charity match in aid of the LFC Foundation.
Although he did not play, Klopp was a star attraction as Liverpool legends faced Borussia Dortmund legends. The German, who spent eight-and-a-half years at Liverpool before stepping down in 2024, is now Red Bull's global head of soccer. He joined Dalglish, Ian Rush and John Aldridge to oversee a side featuring Steven Gerrard, Thiago Alcantara, Pepe Reina and Peter Crouch. Liverpool led 2-0 through Thiago and Jay Spearing before Dortmund equalised to make it 2-2.
Klopp soaked up the atmosphere and hinted at a return. 'It was good. Nothing really changed. I enjoyed every second,' he said. 'My role today was not to have a lot of words - I was here for the Foundation and be part of a really special experience... The people suck it in. It was so nice to see the boys playing. Thiago alone was worth the ticket!' Asked if he would come back next year, he replied: 'Yeah!'
Klopp was replaced by Arne Slot, who has had a more difficult second season after winning the Premier League last term. Liverpool sit fifth in the league but remain in the FA Cup and Champions League. Klopp has been linked with returns to Liverpool, Real Madrid and the German national team, but is content at Red Bull. 'I'm in a place, as a person, where I'm completely at peace with where I am. I don't want to be somewhere else,' he told AFP in January. However, he has not ruled out coaching again, saying: 'If [I did return], then it's Liverpool.'
