Liverpool are looking all set to ramp up their search to find Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
With Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards now in place, it’s full steam ahead to secure who follows Liverpool’s most successful manager of the modern era.
It isn’t going to be easy to get him, but Xabi Alonso rightfully remains the favourite for now. However, due to Bayern Munich’s interest and Alonso’s potential wish to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, the Reds are reportedly drawing up a contingency plan.
From a fans’ point of view, some may see it as Alonso or bust. But, thankfully, Liverpool are lining up a list of other contenders.
Liverpool assessing Xabi Alonso alternatives
As we’ve often seen elsewhere in recent months, The Daily Mail name two men as potential alternatives to Alonso for Liverpool. Perhaps the most interesting of these is Sporting’s Ruben Amorim.
Amorim has led his club to the top of the Primeira Liga this season and has reportedly ‘scored highly’ on ‘internal data tests’ conducted by Anfield insiders.
The 39-year-old wouldn’t come cheap, however. It’s claimed that Liverpool would have to pay a rather princely £25m to prise Amorim away from Sporting.
The former Portugal international has reportedly been described as a ‘master communicator’ by those who know him. As a result, perhaps Liverpool will see the lofty release clause as being worth it. He’s certainly under consideration.
Who else is being considered by Liverpool
As well as Alonso and Amorim, there has been one other name often circulating in regards to Liverpool: Roberto De Zerbi.
In the Mail’s report, that is no different. In fact, they go as far as claiming that the Brighton manager is ‘certainly in the running.’
Hughes in particular is said to be a ‘massive fan’ of De Zerbi who he reportedly came up against on the pitch while in his youth at the Atalanta academy.
Nevertheless, despite interest in both De Zerbi and Amorim, it’s claimed that it’s Alonso who remains the ‘front-runner.’
Liverpool reportedly want a young manager who can ‘grow the club’ while simultaneously playing attacking football. All three of these candidates could potentially fit the bill.
But perhaps it’s Amorim who’s going under the radar as the absolute perfect fit. He may not be the most popular man at Anfield, but Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes recently outlined just how good a coach he believes Amorim to be [The Express]. For just this once, perhaps Liverpool should listen to Bruno.