Liverpool are still on the hunt for a new permanent manager as they prepare to bid farewell to Jurgen Klopp at the end of the current campaign.
The Reds have a major task on their hands to replace the German, who has been a huge success at Anfield since joining the club in October 2015.
Xabi Alonso quickly emerged as the favourite to replace Klopp after the bombshell news of his impending departure was made official, though other candidates such as Sporting coach Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi have also been mentioned.
Below is a round-up of the latest reports as regards the Reds’ search for this vitally important position.
News of Bayern Munich parting ways with Thomas Tuchel was not particularly welcomed on Merseyside, for obvious reasons.
The German giants, who are enduring an extremely poor season by their standards, are believed to have made Alonso a primary target to take over from Tuchel in the summer and will rival Liverpool for the services of the Spaniard.
A fresh report from TZ, though, has made clear Alonso is “not in the mood” for the chaos currently unfolding at Bayern and has “massive doubts” about the prospect of heading to the Allianz Arena. The article adds the 42-year-old would favor remaining at Bayer Leverkusen or moving back to Merseyside.
Amorim update
Liverpool will turn their attention to appointing Amorim should the club fail in their efforts to land Alonso, it has been suggested.
Amorim is currently enjoying a strong season in charge of Sporting, who sit joint-top of the Portuguese top flight and remain in both the Taca de Portugal and Europa League.
The 39-year-old is viewed as the “most desirable candidate” should Alonso decide to go elsewhere, as claimed by the Independent, who add Amorim is considered a “likelier option” than Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.
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Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has reiterated he will not be in the running to replace Klopp in the summer.
The Dutchman was tipped to step up and become first-team manager after years of working alongside the German, though has made clear he will not be following this path.
“I was really clear to be honest,” he explained on Friday afternoon. “When we had the talk a long time ago, for me it was clear. It made it easier for me when he [Klopp] said this will be it. We knew in the summer already we are going towards the end of this project.
“We spoke, I got offers last year. My heart always said yes, my loyalty and my friendship and respect for Mike and Jurgen said no. But it’s clear that I will go and manage and we will end the project together. I feel that it’s a project of a lot of people and it’s the right way to do it like this.
“But I’m excited to manage, I’m excited to go and find the right club, a club who really wants me. But until the last final of the season I’m focused on Liverpool. I don’t even know what’s happening, that’s why we have agents.”
