Ex-Liverpool ace Peter Crouch has implied that watching the club sail to a Premier League title may have stung Jurgen Klopp, especially as successor Arne Slot secured the trophy with an impressive five games to spare in a stunning first season at the helm.
Slot, stepping into some hefty shoes after Klopp’s storied tenure, didn’t stumble. He took the reins from Feyenoord last summer and aced the English top-flight challenge on his maiden voyage, cementing his place in Liverpool lore.
Inheriting a team ripe with talent – an upgrade from the squad Klopp originally faced in October 2015 – there’s no doubt the German maestro knows what could’ve been. And according to Crouch, speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, there might be a piece of the revered former Liverpool gaffer that pines for the glory days he established now being enjoyed by someone else.
“It must hurt him a little bit,” shared Crouch, delving into what Klopp might silently endure. “I know he won’t say it publicly… when he sees Arne Slot [celebrating] in front of the Kop.
“It was quite emotional, I thought. Watching them all lined up in front of the Kop, kind of looking at them going, ‘That’s my team.’ I don’t care who you are – that hurts. You’re like, ‘Well I should be there’.”
The whispers that Klopp’s departure was more than just about burnout seem to gain credence, especially since the 57-year-old had a year left on his Liverpool contract. He chose to end his time at Anfield early, citing burnout and the need for a substantial break.
It was under Klopp’s guidance that Liverpool legends such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were brought to Anfield, both of whom have pledged to stay with the club past this season.
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
While Slot has done well, it’s fair to say he’s also capitalized on Manchester City’s unexpected decline this season, not to mention other clubs like Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth taking points off rivals.
There’s talk that Klopp, who secured every major trophy for the Reds during his tenure, is feeling restless in his current position as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer and is keen on a coaching comeback. Having taken up the Red Bull role at the start of 2025 to embark on a new chapter, he’s already being linked with a return to the sidelines sooner rather than later.
Real Madrid is rumored to be one of the few clubs with enough allure to potentially entice him. Los Blancos are facing a season without any silverware, increasing the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti to secure La Liga as their last chance for a trophy.
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A move to Madrid might be viewed as a slight betrayal by some at Anfield, considering Liverpool’s fiery defeat to Real in the 2022 Champions League final. However, Klopp would find at least one familiar face there, as Trent Alexander-Arnold announced his departure from Anfield this week, with a transfer to Real expected this summer.
Ancelotti, aged 65, has another year left on his contract with Real, and it would be somewhat surprising if he were to be dismissed this summer. Even if Los Blancos end the season without any major trophies – excluding the UEFA Super Cup or Intercontinental Cup – the Italian has likely earned the right to see out his Bernabeu contract on his own terms.
Football would certainly benefit from Klopp making a swift return to coaching. It would be almost poetic if Liverpool’s resurgence to Premier League dominance served as the catalyst for that comeback.
