Liverpool’s new manager search is finally getting down to the nitty gritty.
Having seen Xabi Alonso remove himself as a candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp over the Easter Weekend, the saga took a big old twist.
That still left a handful of candidates for Liverpool to look at, with Ruben Amorim potentially heading that list.
Another who has never been too far away from the rumours has been Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian has been backed to do a great job at Anfield and has seemingly been high on Liverpool’s shortlist.
However, an update from journalist David Ornstein has suggested that De Zerbi may no longer be an option for the Reds.
What has been said about Roberto De Zerbi
Liverpool got the chance to see De Zerbi up close on Sunday, as he took his Brighton team to take on the Reds.
In the end it was a semi-decent audition from the 44-year-old. Although Liverpool won 2-1, the Seagulls gave them problems and showcased why De Zerbi is so highly thought of.
However, speaking on the back of the result to The Athletic FC Podcast yesterday, Ornstein reported that it’s now ‘highly unlikely’ that Liverpool will go in for the Brighton man.
“My information is that it’s incredibly unlikely that they’d go for De Zerbi,” says the journalist. “I’m being told that that’s not going to happen.”
Who could Liverpool go for instead
Thankfully, Ornstein does provide some different options for Liverpool. Along with De Zerbi, Amorim is the name that is being constantly brought up now.
And the reporter claims that as one door closes, another one opens. The Sporting man is said to be right ‘in the mix.’
“Amorim is defnitely in the mix,” says Orsntein. “His body of work at Sporting Lisbon is really impressive.
“I think a member of his backroom staff on strength and conditioning used to work at Liverpool and is said to be really important to Amorim at Sporting. I think some conversations have taken place.”
Liverpool are also said to be talking over the prospect of hiring other managers, including Bologna’s Thiago Motta. Ornstein was also keen to stress that no favourite has been decided upon by the Reds hierarchy.
The race is seemingly more open than ever. However, after Alonso, another has bitten the dust.