Reaction from Jurgen Klopp after he made his return to Anfield for the Liverpool Legends charity match against another of his former clubs, Borussia Dortmund
Jurgen Klopp(Image: (PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images))
Jurgen Klopp made an emotional return to Anfield on Saturday afternoon and admitted he never envisioned going on to achieve what he did at Liverpool.
The German was back at his former club as a Liverpool Legends team, including the likes of Steven Gerrard and Thiago Alcantara, took on their Borussia Dortmund counterparts.
It was the first time Klopp had visited Anfield since watching the Reds, under his successor Arne Slot, lift the Premier League trophy against Crystal Palace on the final day of last season.
During his nearly nine years in charge of Liverpool, the 58-year-old guided the club to the Premier League title and a Champions League crown among other honours.
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But speaking ahead of the Legends clash, Kopp said: “How dumb you would be to dream that big. I was positive about my future. Where I came from, to achieve that big, was a miracle.
“You have to work hard, but ending up here at one of the biggest clubs in the world and the most emotional club in the world.
“Even when I looked at an empty stadium, I felt the pride that I was here for nine years. It was my home and it is. It’s ridiculous!”
The Liverpool Legends were managed by Sir Kenny Dalglish, with Klopp, together with goalscoring greats Ian Rush and John Aldridge, assisting the Kop icon.
And the Reds got off to the perfect start when Thaigo opened the scoring after just six minutes before a screamer from Jay Spearing saw them head into the break 2-0 ahead.
Sir Kenny Dalglish and his coaching staff ahead of kick-off at Anfield(Image: (PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images))
But Mohamed Zidan replied for Dortmund just past the hour mark and Jan Koller later equalised to deny Liverpool victory.
Klopp, though, felt the love of Reds supporters before, during and after the game, and he even treated those in attendance to some of his trademark fist pumps following the full-time whistle.
“It was good,” he said on the experience of being back. “Nothing really changed. I enjoyed every second.
“My role today was not to have a lot of words – I was here for the (LFC) Foundation and to be part of a really special experience after a while, seeing all the Liverpool and Dortmund lads, who 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!”
And when asked if he would return next year, Klopp said: “Yeah!”