Liverpool may now have path to signing elite defender thanks to Jurgen Klopp

Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed his return to football in a development which could now benefit his former club. From January next year, the 57-year-old will take up the position as head of football operations at Red Bull, which owns the Leipzig, Salzburg and New York clubs.

Klopp will work with coaches from all three clubs, including former assistant Pep Lijnders, who departed Anfield with him at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The details of the contract have not been publicly disclosed, but the German boss has reportedly agreed to a ‘long-term deal’. 

Despite insisting his role will primarily be an advisory one, Klopp’s vast experience is likely to be utilised to the full by Red Bull bosses. And his previous connections with Liverpool could now pave the way for the club to sign one of European football’s most highly rated young defenders.

Under Arne Slot, the Reds have made a superb start to the 2024/25 campaign but are still in the market for new signings after failing to land their top targets in the summer. Indeed, the subject of their defensive reinforcements is currently under scrutiny, with centre-back Virgil van Dijk out of contract next June.

And the club have previously been linked to Leipzig’s 21-year-old defender Castello Lukeba, who has been touted as an ideal replacement for the current club captain. The 21-year-old signed for the German club from Lyon in August 2023 for £28.5million.

The French international has since excelled in the Bundesliga, making 41 club appearances last season and helping them to a fourth placed finish. He’s been hailed by club fans as the perfect replacement for Josko Gvardiol, who departed for Manchester City last summer for a £77m fee.

And Castello appears to fit the mould of of the Premier League, viewed as modern left-sided central defender adept at passing out from the back. He’s also won plaudits for the timing and physicality of his challenges, similar attributes to those of Van Dijk.

Despite signing a deal until 2028, Castello’s head will surely be turned if the Reds do come in with a lucrative financial offer. And with Klopp in place, FSG have the perfect contact point if they want to try and begin negotiations.

Indeed, doing business with the two European-based Red Bull sides was a regular feature of Liverpool’s transfer work when Klopp was in charge. Takumi Minamino, Navy Keita and Dom Szoboszlai were all signed from Salzburg and Leipzig respectively, while Fabio Carvalho joined the German team on loan last season.

And since Lijnders has taken over, the relations have seemingly continued. The Dutch boss has already signed youngsters Bobby Clarke and Stefan Bajcetic from his former club.