Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to be awarded Freedom of the City

Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League winning manager and a star of some of TV’s best loved shows are to be given the Freedom of Liverpool.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Liverpool City Council is due to award honorary Freedom of the City status to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Brookside actress Sue Johnston.

In being awarded the highest civil honour the city can offer, Mr Klopp will join Liverpool legends such as Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Johnston, who appeared in Brookside during the 1980s, will join the show’s creator Phil Redmond on the roll of honour at Liverpool Town Hall.

Next Wednesday, councillors will be asked to endorse the findings of the freedom panel in conferring the awards on both for their contribution for the city.

A ‘wow’ moment for Klopp

Jurgen Klopp said: “I have to be honest, when I first heard this news I had to take a minute to take it in. As you can imagine, I get a lot of different types of news in my job but this was definitely a ‘wow’ moment.

“The main reason for this was what Liverpool, the city and its wonderful people, mean to me and my family. The welcome that we have been given has been unbelievable from the word go, so to get this kind of recognition is incredible. It is also very humbling.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Obviously, I am not from Liverpool so there will be countless people who know more about the history than I do but I actually already knew a little bit about this award. This was because earlier this year it was granted to Andrew Devine, someone who we all had an enormous amount of love for, along with the other 96 victims of Hillsborough.

“I also know that Sir Kenny Dalglish has received the Freedom of the City previously so if my name is listed alongside those and all of the other recipients that makes the honour even more special.

“So to everyone who made this possible - thank you. You have made my family and myself so, so proud to know that the bond we have with this wonderful city has been made even stronger and will now stay for ever.”

Reds manager Klopp joined the club in 2015 from Borussia Dortmund after Brendan Rodgers was sacked. He has overseen a transformation in the club’s fortunes, taking them to two cup finals in his first season alone and turning them into English, European and world champions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Under Klopp’s reign, Liverpool have entered into a new era of success, reaching three Champions League finals, including their famous 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 marking the club’s sixth European Cup. His crowning glory came in 2020, when he guided his side to a Premier League title, 30 years after the club had last lifted top division honours.

Under his leadership, the club have also won the FA Cup and League Cup this year alone, as well as the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. His stay with the club was extended earlier this year, as Klopp – revered by fans since the early weeks of his reign – signed a contract through to 2026.

Actress Sue Johnston has had a long and successful career in some of the county’s best loved television shows, including the Royle Family, Brookside and Coronation Street. Born in Warrington, the 78-year-old grew up in Prescot before working for legendary Beatles producer Brian Epstein.

Ricky Tomlinson (right) in Brookside in 1982. Photo: Avalon/Getty ImagesRicky Tomlinson (right) in Brookside in 1982. Photo: Avalon/Getty Images
Ricky Tomlinson (right) in Brookside in 1982. Photo: Avalon/Getty Images

She made her television debut in Corrie playing a minor role as Mrs Chadwick before a first stint alongside Ricky Tomlinson on Brookside as Sheila Grant. The self-confessed Liverpool fan is best known for her role as Barbara Royle in the critically acclaimed The Royle Family, again with Tomlinson.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sue was made an OBE in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to drama and charity.

In March, Liverpool Council commemorated the honorary Freedom of the City bestowed to the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster with a place in the Town Hall.

The honour was posthumously awarded in September 2016, after the families were awarded the honour in 2009. Andrew Devine, the 97th victim, was given honorary freedom posthumously in December last year.

Should the councillors agree to the recommendations as expected, both recipients will receive the Freedom Scroll presented at a civic function hosted by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Roy Gladden.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is recommended that HMS Prince of Wales also be awarded the Freedom Roll of Association.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Roy Gladden said: “Jurgen Klopp, Sue Johnston and HMS Prince of Wales represent three aspects of Liverpool life that are close to our hearts – sport, culture and the Armed Forces.

“It will be an honour to formally thank them for their hard work, commitment and service.”

Related topics: