Jurgen Klopp's Successor Candidate At Liverpool, Two Ex Anfield Enter The List

Steven Gerrard is a Liverpool coach candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp (Instagram/@stevengerrard).

JAKARTA - Jurgen Klopp surprisingly announced his resignation from Liverpool at the end of this season. In fact, the conditions at Anfield are calm.

There is no problem in the dressing room. Players still respect and trust the manager. Klopp is still a public idol for The Kop.

Then, Klopp also still loves Liverpool. There is nothing that makes him uncomfortable on Merseyside.

When announcing his resignation, basically he gave a reason that his energy was not as big as it used to be.

"I can understand that this is a surprise to many people right now, when you hear it for the first time."

"What is clear is that I can explain it, or at least try to explain it. I really like everything about this club."

"I love everything about this city. I love everything about our fans. I love the team, I love staff."

"I like everything. However, I still take this decision to show you that I believe that is the decision I have to make."

"That's me, how do I say it. I'm running out of energy. I have no problem now, of course."

"I've known for a long time that I should announce it someday, but I'm fine now. I know that I can't do that job anymore, and again, and again, and again."

"After all these years that we've been through together and after a long time we spent together and after all the things we've been through together," said Klopp at The Sun.

The question is now, who will replace Klopp. A number of names have been predicted to be the successor to the German manager.

Two Anfield legends are on Klopp's list of successors. At least, there are currently five prominent candidates to head Liverpool at the end of this season.

Xabi Alonso

The former Reds midfielder is favorite to replace Klopp after a season and a half leading Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso has a winning ratio of 64 percent for the Bundesliga team. He brought the finishing team in sixth place and qualified for the Europa League last season.

Getting Alonso will actually not be a problem because Leverkusen puts the clause in his contract which expires in the summer of 2026.

Alonso could leave at the end of the season if the Merseyside club came to call.

Roberto De Zerbi

The Italian player has been in the spotlight after bringing Brighton and Hove Albion to a surprise performance in the 2023/2024 Premier League.

De Zerbi came to Brighton to replace Graham Potter in September 2022. Currently, he is taking Brighton to eighth place in the 2023/2024 Premier League standings.

Last season, Brighton finished sixth, just five points behind Liverpool.

The Seagulls will definitely fight desperately to defend De Zerbi.

However, they ended up helpless to stop him from joining Merseyside's side if Liverpool came to call. You see, De Zerbi had expressed his desire to leave.

Jose Mourinho

Former Chelsea and Manchester United boss is currently unemployed after being sacked by AS Roma in January 2024.

Mourinho has a long history with English clubs in the past. He would be the right person to sign in if the Reds officials wanted a manager with a big name to replace Klopp.

It's just that Liverpool, however, are likely to be competing with Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab, who is also in talks to sign Mourinho.

Unai Emery

The Spanish manager has come back well and really from a bad time with Arsenal at Villa Park.

Emery brought Aston Villa to finish seventh last season. This season, The Villans are fourth in the Premier League standings.

Emery asked Villa to play an interesting style of football that will not go out of style at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard

The Reds icon has been touted as Liverpool's future manager since he hung up his boots.

However, the former England national team player has just signed a new contract with the Saudi Pro League club, Al Ettikaq.

Given his large position with Kopites, it is possible that he will be placed in Anfield's dressing room.