NewsJürgen Klopp receives double award for long-standing community work

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LDSA) both presented Klopp with the special awards at the AXA Training Centre.

Klopp, who is an official ambassador for LFC Foundation, has lent his support and voice to an array of community programmes during his time at the club and is passionate about football being inclusive for all.

PFA CEO Maheta Molango and community liaison executive Stephen Raynor were joined by LFC Foundation’s chief executive Matt Parish to present the awards, with Virgil van Dijk and Missy Bo Kearns also recipients after they were both named as PFA Community Champions for the 2023-24 season.

The PFA Community Champions award aims to highlight players who have made work within communities and for good causes central to their role as a footballer.

Van Dijk has supported the Owen McVeigh Foundation and made visits to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital this season, while Kearns was appointed as an official LFC Foundation ambassador for her dedication to supporting its work in local communities.

Molango said: “Once again, Liverpool players have set a fantastic example with the involvement they have had in their local community this season. It’s a real illustration of the positive impact players can have beyond the pitch, which means so much to so many people.

“So many of our members place real importance on using their positions to support their communities and, as their union, we always want to recognise the players for that work.

“We would like to congratulate Virgil and Missy Bo, who are this season’s recipients of the 2023-24 PFA Community Champion award, and offer sincere thanks to Jürgen for his outstanding support for the community.

“Managers play a crucial role within the club in facilitating and creating time for these community activities, making sure players fully appreciate the value of this work. Jürgen has been an outstanding advocate for the importance of community engagement throughout his time at Liverpool.”

Ted Morris, chair of the LDSA, was joined by some lucky LDSA members to make their 2023-24 presentations, which saw Klopp (special recognition), Niamh Fahey (Women’s Player of the Year), Conor Bradley (Young Player of the Year) and Darwin Nunez (Men’s Player of the Year) recognised.

Morris said: “On behalf of all our members, I’d like to congratulate Jürgen, Niamh, Darwin and Conor on their awards.

“I’d also like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Jürgen for the incredible support he has shown to the LDSA and all our members during his time at LFC – I know that it means a great deal to a lot of people.”