Jurgen Klopp could face Liverpool in Champions League if he takes shock return to management

Jurgen Klopp could be set for , according to reports in Spain.

The former boss has been out of the dugout since leaving Anfield at the end of last season, taking up a role as from January onwards. But Spanish media outlet has claimed that Klopp is highly valued by Atletico, where current manager Diego Simeone is said to have lost power.

and Simeone have faced off four times, all in the Champions League. The 2019/20 season saw Atletico defeat Liverpool in the second leg of a round-of-16 match. Three extra-time goals from Simeone's squad at Anfield knocked the Reds out that year.

However, Klopp's team would get their revenge two years later with two group stage victories. Known for his tactical cunning, the Argentine manager has struggled to secure another trophy since his La Liga win in the 2020/21 season. A return to soccer with Atletico is likely not on Klopp's radar.

But imagine if it were to happen, he could potentially face his former Liverpool team in this year's restructured Champions League knockout rounds. Klopp remains one of the most respected coaches in soccer after his successful spells with Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

Klopp led Mainz to the Bundesliga - the top flight of German soccer - before resigning in 2008 as the club's longest-serving manager. At Dortmund, he won two Bundesliga titles, the German Cup, and two German Super Cups. Klopp also led Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2013, where the team lost to Bayern Munich at Wembley.

Liverpool fans shouldn't need reminding about Klopp's success on Merseyside. He won the Premier League title, Champions League, FA Cup, Community Shield, Club World Cup, European Super Cup, and two League Cups during his time with the Reds. He has taken charge of more than 1,000 first-team games during his managerial career.