Liverpool leave the door open to Pep Lijnders for Anfield return after Jurgen Klopp exit

Liverpool are reportedly keen on a future return for Pep Lijnders after Jurgen Klopp's right-hand man decided to part ways with Anfield. The club is said to be holding onto the hope that Lijnders will rejoin the Reds' fold further down his coaching path, as revealed by Arne Slot's former mentor.

Henk De Jong, who previously managed Dutch outfit Cambuur and brought in Slot as his assistant back in 2014, has shared insights from his recent visit to Liverpool's training ground in Kirkby. During his time there, he learned of the high regard in which Lijnders is held and the club's wish for his eventual return.

"Everyone at Liverpool is hoping that Arne is going to do really well," De Jong disclosed. "Pep Lijnders is not staying, but I sensed everyone at Liverpool is hoping Pep will come back to the club one day."

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The respect for Lijnders within the club was evident, as De Jong noted, "They all spoke very highly about him and I really think he has built a big reputation for himself."

With ambitions to lead his own team, Lijnders is set to leave Liverpool alongside fellow assistant Peter Krawietz, development coach Vitor Matos, and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, marking a significant period of transition for the club.

In a conversation with Mirror Football last month, Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk expressed his conviction that Lijnders, 41, is destined for a remarkable career in football management.

"Hopefully he will carry on his development, and if he becomes a head coach somewhere then he could be very successful," expressed Van Dijk.

"You never know that the future might bring. You need a bit of luck as a coach as well, and you need the right circumstances, but he's been very important for the success of the club and we will never forget that. So whatever happens I wish him all the best and the success that he deserves, so let's see. It should also be exciting for him to see what the next chapter will be. I will forever be thankful for everything he's done for us in the football club."