Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool return after emotional welcome during Legends game

Jurgen Klopp was part of Sir Kenny Dalglish's coaching team for the Liverpool legends match against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield, with the former Reds boss confirming he'll be back next year

Jurgen Klopp lapped up the atmosphere on his return(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he will return to Anfield next year after relishing Saturday's legends match. The former Liverpool manager was part of Sir Kenny Dalglish's coaching staff for the fixture, which raised funds for the LFC Foundation.

While he remained off the pitch, Klopp was still amongst the main draws for the encounter against Borussia Dortmund legends. The German oversaw Liverpool for eight and a half years before departing at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, having previously been at the helm of Dortmund.

Now serving as Red Bull's global head of football, he joined forces with Dalglish, Ian Rush and John Aldridge to guide a Liverpool team featuring numerous recognisable names, including Steven Gerrard, Thiago Alcantara, Pepe Reina and Peter Crouch.

Liverpool surged to a 2-0 advantage through strikes from Thiago and Jay Spearing before Dortmund rallied to secure a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Klopp embraced the affection within the ground and suggested a future comeback. "It was good. Nothing really changed. I enjoyed every second," Klopp 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 after a while, seeing all the Liverpool and Dortmund lads, you don't meet very often.

"Today it was really nice. The people suck it in. It was so nice to see the boys playing. Thiago alone was worth the ticket!" When asked whether he would return next year, Klopp responded: "Yeah!"

Klopp was succeeded by Arne Slot in the Liverpool dugout and the Dutchman has experienced a far more challenging second campaign following his Premier League triumph last season. The Reds currently occupy fifth place in the league table, though remain in contention in both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp enjoyed his return to Anfield(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)

Klopp has been touted for a return to Liverpool, alongside Real Madrid and the German national team, but remains satisfied with his position at Red Bull for the time being. "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," Klopp told AFP in January.

"Do I want to coach again? At the moment, I would say no, but I cannot say never, never, never. I don't expect to change my mind, but I don't know."

Nevertheless, should he return to England, it would be with Liverpool as he cannot envisage himself managing a rival club. "I said I will never coach a different team in England so that means, if [I did return], then it's Liverpool," he said last year. "So, yeah, theoretically it is possible."