Jurgen Klopp is back at Anfield for the first time in nearly a year to watch Liverpool be crowned Premier League champions
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Former Liverpool Manager and current Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull GmbH Juergen Klopp applauds as he stands in an executive box with John W. Henry, Principal Owner of Liverpool, prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Jurgen Klopp, pictured alongside Liverpool owner John Henry, is back at Anfield to see his former club lift the Premier League trophy
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Jurgen Klopp has made his first return to Anfield since departing as Liverpool manager to watch his former club lift the Premier League trophy. Klopp left his position as Reds boss almost 12 months ago to the day after nearly nine years in charge during which he guided the club to every major honour.
The German was back on Merseyside to attend the LFC Foundation Gala on Friday evening, and was then among many famous former Liverpool personalities at Anfield for Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Crystal Palace.
Klopp’s successor Arne Slot has enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign, becoming only the third boss in Reds history after Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish to win the title in his first full season in charge.
READ MORE: Liverpool supporters joined by special guests at Anfield as Virgil van Dijk stands byREAD MORE: Liverpool line-up vs Crystal Palace as Arne Slot rings changes and leaves one out of squad
Dalglish was among the other ex-Reds managers at the game, including Rafael Benitez and Roy Evans.
Former players were well represented, led by record goalscorer Ian Rush, appearance record holder Ian Callaghan and former captains Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson.
Gary Mac Allister, Steve Staunton, David Fairclough, Jan Molby, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, David Thompson and Mark Walters were among the many other ex-Reds in attendance.
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There was a nice touch before the game when, after receiving a guard of honour from the Palace team, Liverpool’s players lined up to return the compliment to the visitors, who beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final last weekend to claim their first-ever major honour.
Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk will be handed the Premier League trophy by another Anfield great, Alan Hansen, at the presentation shortly after the final whistle.
Klopp had said before Friday's gala: "Hello, so now I'm back, back in Liverpool. Back here in the wonderful cathedral. And, yeah, for the Liverpool Foundation, finally.
"LFC Foundation, finally. Took me a year to find a way back, but now I'm here.
"So, what a weekend ahead. Wow. I heard the city will be buzzing, I'm pretty sure it will. And I see it from a different perspective - from a very good perspective, from your perspective.
"I told you on my last day, from now on, I will be one of you. Yeah, okay, standing in a black suit is maybe not the best example. But at the weekend, I'll try to be in as much as you let me. I'll try to be part of it as much as you let me.
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"So congratulations for last season. Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.
"I enjoyed it so much. Congratulations to the team. Congratulations to Arne - especially so - what a guy, what a coach and let's have the best weekend of our lives, so far. Because there are loads of great weekends will follow with his wonderful team and this great club."