MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Tuesday, September 26, 2017: Liverpool's first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Spartak Moscow and Liverpool at the Otkrytie Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp to offer Pep Lijnders a return to Liverpool coaching staff

Pep Lijnders left Liverpool as a coach earlier in the season, but could return for next term after departing NEC Nijmegen as manager.

The Dutch coach is extremely highly regarded at Anfield having spent almost four years on Merseyside.

While beginning life at Liverpool with the U16s, Lijnders rose to become a trusted member of the first-team manager’s backroom staff, with Jurgen Klopp more than once speaking out on his strengths.

Wanting to try his hand at management, Lijnders left for his homeland in January to take over at second-tier NEC, but left at the end of the campaign after failing to secure promotion.

Now Goal.com’s Neil Jones reports that Lijnders will be offered a role at Anfield ahead of next season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 19, 2017: Liverpool's first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during the warm-up before the FA Premier League match against Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Lijnders was in Kyiv to see the Champions League final, and could return to play a key role in Klopp’s staff.

With Zeljko Buvac’s future still unclear, though very likely away from Anfield, Klopp may feel Lijnders can step in to fill the assistant manager spot.

Previously he also helped bridge the gap between the club’s young hopefuls and the first team, so a range of possible coaching roles remain.

It’s also worth noting that the U18s will be requiring a new manager for the season ahead due to Steven Gerrard‘s departure; perhaps that role will now feel too junior for Lijnders, but it’s clear that an overhaul of sorts in personnel is ahead this summer.

Michael Beale will also head to Rangers with Gerrard, reports Jones, while a new head physio will also be sought by the first team.

Add in the likely additions to the playing side of the team and it’s clear there will be a busy and exciting summer ahead at Liverpool.

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