Liverpool remains on the lookout for its next manager with Jürgen Klopp bidding to end his nine-year tenure with yet more silverware. The Reds went five points clear at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday night with a win over Chelsea and now takes on Arsenal at the Emirates.
Klopp’s side has already won there in the FA Cup this season and another victory will leave Arsenal with a lot of work to do to claw back the gap. Speculation over who will replace Klopp continues to ramp up, with ex-Anfield midfielder Xabi Alonso the favorite among supporters.
He has done an excellent job with Bayer Leverkusen but continues to play down links over a return, with his focus remaining on guiding his side to the Bundesliga title. A huge clash with Bayern Munich is on the horizon.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is another name in the frame but there has now been backing for a surprise contender. Meanwhile, there has been some transfer deadline drama that will bring back memories for Liverpool fans.
Here is the Liverpool.com take on some of the biggest stories around European football today ahead of this weekend’s clash with Arsenal. We start with another possible Klopp heir being thrown in the ring.
The likes of Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi appear to be the frontrunners to replace Klopp but a new name has been thrown into the hat. Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini worked under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge and believes the Italian would be a good option for Liverpool.
Conte, who did win the Premier League at Chelsea, was sacked by Tottenham last March and has been out of work since then. He has more recently been linked with a return to former club Juventus.
But when asked about the Liverpool job, Cudicini told Stadium Astro: “Antonio Conte is available, I believe, so why not? Without a doubt he’s very successful, he’s proven that. I think one season shouldn’t define the ability of a manager.”
Cudicini did go on to hail Alonso for his “amazing” work at Bayer Leverkusen though. The Spaniard’s side is bidding to pip Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title.
As well as Conte, Liverpool has previously been linked to another former Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel. He would apparently ‘jump at the chance’ to settle some Premier League scores.
Liverpool.com says: Conte has proven in the past that he is a winner but that comes at a cost. The fiery Italian is known for falling out with his former clubs before acrimonious exits and his last few months at Tottenham were a nightmare. The transition from Klopp to the next manager needs to be a smooth one and it doesn’t appear Conte would be considered at this stage.
