Klopp Gets New Role at Anfield – End of the Road for Salah & Van Dijk?

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The announcement took back all the fans with Liverpool tickets from their beloved manager, Juren Klopp. He was a revolutionary manager who turned things around for the club, winning them a Premier League and a Champions League, along with several other trophies – ending their title drought. 

Above all, those with Liverpool tickets are immensely grateful to Klopp for reincarnating the club back to the top tier, where it belonged a few decades ago. 

While Klopp announced that he would not coach any other club in England, out of pure love and passion for the Reds, he would continue to be a part of the team, but differently. 

Klopp has been a long-standing admirer and ambassador of the LFC Foundation and has supported it in many different ways.

Whether it be welcoming visits to the AXA Training Centre, speaking publicly about the vital work happening daily across the Liverpool City Region, or attending events to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

He once famously called the LFC Foundation the best department at the club while praising the ‘incredible’ work they do every day across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

Following Klopp’s last game in charge, the LFC Foundation was given a range of unique items worn and signed by him for a Foundation fundraising auction, which raised an incredible £40,000 in just seven days.

His honorary ambassador role will ensure his connection to the LFC Foundation remains intact moving forward.

Speaking about continuing as LFC Foundation honorary ambassador, Klopp added, “The LFC Foundation does an incredible job in the community, both in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

“I am proud to continue my work with them and be named the first-ever LFC Foundation honorary ambassador. I look forward to seeing what we can do with that now that I have more time.”

Matt Parish, CEO of the LFC Foundation, added: “We are delighted that Jurgen is continuing his support of the Foundation as our first honorary ambassador.

Van Dijk and Salah Exit? 

With both Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah reaching their mid-30s, questions will be asked about their future. 

International tournaments are a grind at the best of times, but Euro 2024 felt like a real slog.

A football ‘festival’ largely devoid of excitement, energy, and quality, it appeared to be one foray too far for a host of teams, and footballers were out on their feet.

Ollie Watkins’ brilliant last-gasp winner to send England to the final marked a rare high point and looked destined to become the enduring image of the summer.

But as the Aston Villa forward wheeled away in celebration, behind him stood a desolate Van Dijk – exhausted, exasperated, and beaten.

As front-foot in interviews as he is in his defending, the Dutch captain’s post-match comments after that semi-final have sparked concern amongst those with Liverpool tickets.

He said candidly, “I will think carefully about what I want at club level and as an international player this summer. After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it’s over.” That quote can interpreted in different ways.

The mischievous amongst us will claim reference to his ‘club’ hints at an uncertain future, underlined by the lack of a contract extension.

In all probability, however, Van Dijk – who turned 33 this month – is considering international retirement.

A late and heartbreaking Euros exit will sting and feel raw for weeks. Virgil is experienced enough not to make any rash decisions. Still, having also described 2023/24 as “a very, very, very long year, a tough year,” he sounds like a man coming to terms with his footballing mortality.

They won’t say it publicly, but Liverpool secretly hopes Sunday marked their captain’s farewell appearance for his national side.

That’s because one of Arne Slot‘s most significant challenges in this, his maiden season, is managing the game time of two totemic figures.

The club has succeeded in reducing the average age of the squad in the last 18 months. Elder statesmen with tiring legs have departed, and arrivals like Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch have brought new energy.

Yet the team relied heavily on Messrs. Van Dijk and Salah last term until the latter departed for AFCON.

For context, the skipper featured more than any Liverpool player across the entire campaign, bringing up 4,072 minutes in total – 5,395 if you add international minutes.

And only four players saw more action than Salah, who recorded 3,132. Crucially, both players’ game time was managed to an extent.

Europa football, as opposed to Champions League football, allowed Jurgen Klopp to rest the pair far more than he’d have been prepared to in previous years. Indeed, Van Dijk only played in half of Liverpool’s 10 European ties last term, starting three.

While Salah had run-outs in nine of those, he only started four.

That respite did wonders for the pair, particularly Van Dijk, who rediscovered his best form due to occasional breaks being built into his schedule.

It remains to be seen how Slot approaches domestic cup competitions, but there will undoubtedly be no room to experiment back at Europe’s top table.

Remember, too, that the changing format of the Champions League, which includes extra games—each side will play a minimum of eight in the initial stage, up from six—will necessitate managing minutes.

These are difficult conversations, particularly for a new head coach – or manager, as most will revert to calling him. Slot will have to convince two Liverpool legends accustomed to starting all Premier and Champions League games of the benefits of rotation.

The Dutchman could justify their output between August and February last season by comparing it to that at the end of the campaign.

Both suffered a drop in form due to tiring legs. However, Salah’s was far more pronounced. Knowing he won’t be participating in this summer’s Olympics is a huge relief.

Despite the age, fans with Liverpool tickets still have to agree that Mo Salah is their best player in 90 minutes. While Salah may be interested in Saudi Arabia, the focus will be on how Arne Slots uses his management principles to get the best out of the club legend. 

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