Liverpool's second choice after Xabi Alonso to replace Jurgen Klopp emerges

23 February 2024 , 22:00

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Ruben Amorim is in the running to become Liverpool's next manager (Image: Pedro Loureiro/Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim has emerged as a strong contender to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool alongside Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso.

Alonso, formerly of Liverpool, is viewed as the outstanding candidate to take the reins at Anfield once Klopp calls time on his tenure at the end of the season. The Spaniard has excelled in his first managerial role with Leverkusen, who are on course to win their first-ever German title.

He would be a popular appointment with Liverpool fans given his history with the club and his impressive record in Germany. However, Bayern Munich are also interested in Alonso's services and other suitors could yet emerge between now and the summer.

While Alonso remains a prominent figure in Liverpool's thoughts, Amorim is also in the frame to step into Klopp's shoes. A new report from The Independent has outlined that the Sporting Lisbon chief has impressed after transforming the Portuguese outfit's fortunes and is seen as the 'most desirable' option should Alonso prove to be unattainable.

Amorim, 39, ended Sporting's 19-year domestic title drought back in 2021 and is widely regarded as one of Europe's most promising young coaches. He has previously been linked with vacancies in the Premier League at Chelsea and Tottenham.

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While Amorim's impressive body of work in Portugal has earned him many admirers, Alonso remains the favourite to succeed Klopp. He's refused to be drawn on such speculation, though.

Speaking ahead of Friday's match against Mainz, Alonso told reporters: "Maybe you have questions about my future. I have nothing new to say about that. I wanted to say that in advance. Right now I'm the coach here, that's for sure. For the future I have nothing new to say, we'll see."

Join the debate! Who would you like to see succeed Klopp at Liverpool? Let us know here.

Xabi Alonso remains the red-hot favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the summer (Jorg Schuler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Although it's unclear if Alonso could be persuaded to swap Leverkusen for Anfield in the summer, he's already been endorsed in a roundabout way by Klopp, who branded him as the "standout" in a new generation of managers.

"Xabi is doing an incredible job," Klopp said last week. "How quick his team is that well tuned, for the time it's taken, he's put his proper stamp on it. The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is a standout in that department.

"[He is a] former world-class player, from a coaching family as well, which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing. The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional."

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Dan Marsh