Jurgen Klopp jokes he won’t be emulating Sir Kenny Dalglish at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp has joked he will not be following in the footsteps of Sir Kenny Dalglish by bringing himself on as a late substitute during Liverpool‘s Premier League title party on Wednesday night.

The newly-crowned champions will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy after their game against Chelsea at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side were officially declared champions last month but will celebrate the club’s first league title in 30 years with a lavish ceremony set to take place on a custom-built stage on The Kop. 

Jurgen Klopp has joked he won’t be bring himself on as a substitute like Sir Kenny Dalglish did

Dalglish brought himself on for his final league appearance against Derby at Anfield in 1990

But with the title already sewn up, Klopp was jokingly asked whether it had crossed his mind to copy Dalglish, the club legend, in making a cameo appearance on the pitch towards the end.

After winning his third league title in five seasons as player-manager with the Reds, Dalglish decided to bring himself on as a late substitute against Derby in his final league game as a Liverpool player in 1990.

He had made just three appearances across all competitions in the past three seasons but brought himself off the bench for a quick runout at Anfield.

But Klopp has vowed not to lace up his boots on Wednesday night and is instead looking forward to catching up with Dalglish afterwards.

Speaking ahead of the game against Frank Lampard’s side, Klopp said: ‘There’s no chance I will come on as a sub in the game tomorrow night. It’s great, absolutely great.

Dalglish lifts the league trophy aloft after giving himself a runout against Derby back in 1990

‘Directly after the game we became champions, we had duties to fulfil, talking to everybody. And you saw Kenny and Graeme Souness sitting there, how much it meant to them as well was really nice to see.

‘This club touches you, gets you and you will never get rid of it, it is so big and so emotional. I am really happy that Kenny will be around. He deserves it.

‘The most deserved nickname ever, King Kenny. As happy as I was for Steven Gerrard, it means so much to him, it means so much to Carra, for all the players in the past who tried so hard. 

‘They know exactly what this team did, how big the pressure was, and how close they were to it. I am happy that they recognise it, and my team recognise how much it means to them, that generation of players who have such a massive Liverpool heart.’

Klopp and Jordan Henderson (R) will finally get the Premier League trophy on Wednesday

Klopp and his players are getting ready to celebrate at an empty Anfield on Wednesday night with fans denied the chance to see them left the trophy due to the strict measures in place following the coronavirus pandemic. 

The special ceremony is believed to be costing the club in the millions, with Dalglish set to present the Premier League trophy to captain Jordan Henderson.

Klopp admitted it could be another emotional night after he fought back the tears on live TV when Liverpool’s triumph was confirmed a month ago.

He said: ‘We have been champions for a month now. A bit like Christmas, you know you’re getting a specific present but you are still excited. It will be special. 

‘Absolutely delighted the boys have this moment. They deserve it more than anyone. So many setbacks they have dealt with.’