Jurgen Klopp return is reminder of what Liverpool coaches need and one thing Arne Slot lacks
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The affable German was back on Merseyside last weekend, and his presence was a reminder of how adored he remains by Liverpool fans, and the issues that continue to hang over Arne SlotJurgen Klopp's return to Liverpool was a reminder of what Arne Slot needs to suceedArne Slot can't catch a break. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool sojourn last week will have been both a welcome return for the former Liverpool manager and a reminder of why he walked away from his post a little over two years ago.The short spell back in the city he called home for nearly a decade included a swanky fundraiser and several external interviews, in addition to a full afternoon of media activities organized at Anfield Sport & Community Centre.READ MORE: Liverpool Legends game halted as Diogo Jota tribute brings Thiago to tearsREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp feels 'perfect' Mohamed Salah could follow extraordinary example of ex-Liverpool starKlopp cited mental exhaustion as the reason he called time on his Liverpool career in 2024, and even joked during Friday’s interviews that fielding questions was the one thing he had not missed.That’s before the game itself at Anfield, with Klopp a member of the Reds’ coaching group alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and John Aldridge for the legend’s match against Dortmund on Saturday.Perhaps a 2-2 draw was the perfect result for Klopp against another of his former clubs, even if it meant his side squandering a two-goal half-time lead.“For me, a very special experience after a while – being around, being that close, seeing all the Liverpool lads and then seeing the Dortmund lads as well because that was like 80 percent of my players,” he told LFCTV after the game, which was organized to raise funds for the LFC Foundation.Klopp even confirmed that he plans to return next year, an update that may have piqued the interest of half-observant supporters, who would love nothing more than the German to take up permanent residence back in Liverpool once again.Klopp is still adored by Liverpool fansThat remains a million-to-one shot, even if the long-term future of Klopp’s successor remains uncertain.
Last weekend underlined just how adored the 58-year-old remains at Liverpool, if he were to ever consider the most unlikely of returnsSuch was the clamour to see the affable Red Bull chief that kids congregated outside the fence during Friday’s media day, screaming from atop of park benches for him to return to Liverpool for a longer stretch.Within 90 seconds of Saturday’s match, two of the Liverpool contingent were serenaded by the crowd: Steven Gerrard, the local hero and arguably the club’s greatest-ever player, and Klopp.The same devotion was clear at full-time, with the gaggle of kids on the pitch making a beeline for both ex-Liverpool idols.That admiration for Klopp will never cease. A giant mural of the former coach simply read: “Jurgen reminded us of who we've always been.”Klopp's Liverpool return was a reminder of what the Reds have missedNot only did Klopp lead the Reds back to the game’s pinnacle, but he did so via a pulsating, emotive style of play, all while endearing himself to supporters with his infinitely charismatic charm.The contrast with Slot cannot be more stark.
His biggest problem seems to be that he is not Jurgen Klopp.Slot has been unable to placate supporters to the same extent Klopp did during his Anfield reign, which featured two rather regressive seasons in 2020/21 and 2022/23.Slot remains under under immense pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)There are growing signs that Slot is losing support among the fanbase. It’s what Klopp had in abundance, and, sadly, Slot continues to work under the shadow cast by the Liverpool legend.As much as he enjoyed his Liverpool return, it has only served to remind some of how good they once had it.