Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp comments on returning and Mo Salah replacements 'identified'

Liverpool fans enjoyed life under Jurgen Klopp once again at the weekend when the iconic German made his way back to Anfield for a charity game against Borussia Dortmund. Klopp's successor, Arne Slot, pulled off the unthinkable by winning the Premier League in his inaugural season at the Reds.

However, it hasn't been smooth sailing since, with the Reds struggling in the league. Klopp's fleeting comeback bewitched many, and the Champions League-winning coach has since sent a message to those supporters.

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With the international break in full swing, the Reds are also still reeling from the news that Mohamed Salah is to leave the club at the end of the season. Today's news looks at what Klopp had to say to the Kop after his stunning homecoming, while three replacements for Salah have reportedly been earmarked by the club.

Klopp's message

Klopp has expressed his gratitude to Liverpool for the reception he received on his "homecoming" to Merseyside. The former Reds manager is forever an iconic figure at Anfield after delivering Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup glory during nearly nine years at the club.

Klopp received a hero's welcome as he presided over an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield, which was in aid of the LFC Foundation. Goals from Jay Spearing and Thiago helped the Reds earn the draw.

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Klopp posted to Instagram on Monday evening, sharing several photographs from his visit and writing: "Thank you to everyone who made my homecoming so special. Enjoyed every second.

"My role was definitely not to have a lot of words. I was here for the Foundation and to be part of a really special experience. For me, a very special experience after a while – being around, being that close, seeing all the Liverpool lads and then seeing the Dortmund lads as well, because that was like 80 per cent of my players.

"And you don't meet very often and have them all together in one room. It's really cool. It was really, really, really nice. And the people suck it in. It's just so nice to see all the boys playing – but I think Thiago alone was worth the ticket!"

Salah replacement

Since Salah confirmed his end-of-season exit, several names have emerged as the player to take his place. Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig and Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao have all been linked.

The

was told last week that Liverpool were keeping tabs on Portugal international Conceicao, but checks with multiple sources at Anfield have downplayed interest in the 23-year-old.

"I know people talk about a big club, but I play for a big club where I am happy," Conceicao said last week when asked directly about Liverpool interest. "At the moment I am only focused on these two games with the national team, and then I will focus on the final stretch of the season to help my club as much as possible."

Liverpool have a strong relationship with RB Leipzig and have worked on several deals together in recent years. Yet talk of £100million-plus for 19-year-old Diomande will surely have to be reduced for any deal to get off the ground.

"People made [Liverpool] out to be my dream club," Diomande said last month. "But first and foremost, it's my dad's favourite club. It was always his great wish to see me play there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield. He always raved about Steven Gerrard."

Olise is viewed as a no-go at this stage. The 24-year-old's star has risen since he left Crystal Palace for Bayern, but a potential deal for the France international could reach club-record levels for Liverpool.

Bayern have no intention of listening to offers for Olise at this stage either. "We're not even considering that," Bayern sporting director Max Eberl told German publication BILD last week. "He's an FC Bayern player and has all the opportunities here that top players could wish for."

Internally at Liverpool, there is a belief that they are determined to see Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak together on a more consistent basis. The three summer signings have graced the same pitch for just 88 minutes this season, meaning Salah's replacement could very well already be at the club, with Reds bosses determined to get the best out of the trio next season.