Everyone was expecting twists and turns during the closing weeks of Liverpool’s season. However, supporters had expected it to be confined to the Premier League title race.
Instead, the uncertainty over the final outcome is now also being extended to the identity of Jurgen Klopp’s replacement as manager.
The intrigue over the next Reds boss took an unexpected turn on Monday with the claim Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, regarded as one of the front-runners for the role, now looked unlikely to be the preferred candidate for the job with West Ham United now being linked with his signature.
It is the latest major development since last month when Xabi Alonso, swiftly installed as the favourite to succeed Klopp, ruled himself out of the running by declaring his intention to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool, for their part, remain insistent no preferred candidate has been identified as they continue to undertake extensive research and due diligence around a number of viable names.
And Amorim, given his impressive record at Sporting in recent seasons and potential availability in the summer, will be among those to have been considered.
But the longer no appointment is confirmed, so the conjecture and speculation will grow.
Fenway Sports Group head of football Michael Edwards, assisted by newly-appointed Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, has been tasked with pinpointing the new boss.
Also it understood for some time the hierarchy are willing to pursue a manager who would best fit the revamped structure of the club rather than merely be the popular choice. The Reds won’t shy from making an unexpected decision.
With Julian Nagelsmann, another name mentioned early on, committing his long-term future to the Germany national team, the early contenders appear to be slowly being removed from the conversation.
That, then, goes some way to explaining the raft of new names that have emerged in recent days.
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot was mentioned over the weekend, while Gary O’Neil of Wolves has also had tentative links, not least having worked previously with both Liverpool at the Academy and as Bournemouth boss when Hughes was at the South Coast side.
And Thomas Tuchel, who succeeded Klopp at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, has also gained some traction.
Indeed, the mere sight of Jose Mourinho taking in Liverpool’s game at Fulham on Sunday was sufficient to set some tongues wagging the Portuguese may be of interest, even if that would seem far removed from the usual FSG model.
Now the previous suggestion the Reds had cooled on Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton will be reassessed, with Hughes having previously wanted De Zerbi to move to Bournemouth.
There is rarely anything straightforward regards major managerial appointments, and few would be surprised if Amorim ultimately becomes the next Liverpool boss. For now, though, supporters are more in the dark over Klopp’s successor than ever before.
