After Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he’s to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, any game at Anfield is suddenly the hottest ticket in town.
As people flock to the Reds’ famous home to get one last glimpse of Klopp’s Liverpool, nobody will want to miss out.
While regular fans will be desperate to get to a game between now and May, well known faces from around the football world may also start to crop up at L4.
And one of those was spotted just this evening, as Liverpool took on Chelsea in the Premier League.
As per journalist Lewis Steele on X, former Barcelona manager Louis van Gaal was spotted in the stands ahead of tonight’s fixture.
Deep in discussion with the gentleman to his right, Van Gaal looks relaxed as he takes in the pre-game atmosphere.
Van Gaal takes in Anfield
As Liverpool begin their search for a new sporting director and manager, perhaps Van Gaal’s presence tonight will just get some tongues wagging.
At 72, the veteran coach is surely in no danger of being appointment as Klopp’s successor.
However, Van Gaal is currently an advisor at another of his former clubs, Ajax. Maybe the Reds are eyeing him as someone to take on a more senior role in the shake up.
Of course, that would seem unlikely, too. Van Gaal had a bout of ill health before and during the World Cup in 2022, where he was managing the Netherlands.
As a result, a role as involved as the one Liverpool would need him to take on would seem a bit of a stretch.
Nevertheless, Van Gaal is a proper football man. His experience over almost 40 years as a top level manager could help them steady what looks set to become a slightly rocky ship.
As a bonus, the former Manchester United boss is very familiar with Reds captain Virgil van Dijk. Following Van Dijk’s slightly unnerving comments about his future this week, maybe that could come into Liverpool’s thinking.
This isn’t something we’d expect to see Liverpool pursue, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
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