Liverpool's hopes of bringing Xabi Alonso back to Anfield were ruined on Friday when the Spaniard chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen as they pursue their first ever Bundesliga title.
Alonso, who won the Champions League during his time at Liverpool, had quickly become the top choice to take over from Jurgen Klopp after the German's surprising announcement in January that he would leave at the end of the season.
The front-runner according to bookmakers is now Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim, ahead of Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.
Alonso's choice to stay with Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 38 games this season, ends Liverpool's hope that his arrival could soften the blow of Klopp's upcoming departure.
The fortunes of Liverpool, both on and off the field, have been transformed during Klopp's eight-and-a-half years in charge.
In 2020, Liverpool won their first league title in 30 years, followed a year later by winning the Champions League.
Klopp is set to leave in a glorious manner.
Liverpool are currently second in the Premier League, behind Arsenal only on goal difference, with 10 games to play.
Last month, Liverpool won the League Cup and could potentially face Alonso's Leverkusen in the Europa League final as both teams are in the last eight.
This is a good time to be with LFC
Klopp thinks he is passing the torch at a perfect time with a team full of young talent, supported by a core of top-class veterans such as Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah.
“It's important for the future how good the team, players, structure, and organization are,” Klopp said earlier this month.
“That's why I am optimistic and think it's a rather good time to be with LFC.”
Nevertheless, following in the footsteps of such a legendary figure may have been one of the factors that deterred Alonso from making the move.
Reports indicate that his rejection is likely to pave the way for Sporting’s Amorim.
At only 39, the former Portugal international has already made a name for himself in his home country.
Amorim's first job was at Braga in 2019, where he worked for just over two months and 13 games before Sporting paid his 10 million euro ($11 million) release clause for him to take over at the Lisbon giants.
His confidence in his ability paid off as he secured a first league title in 19 years in his first season in charge in 2020/21.
Sporting had finished second and fourth in the past two years, but are currently on track for a league and cup double this season.
De Zerbi has a great opportunity to state his case and disrupt Klopp's farewell when Brighton plays at Anfield on Sunday.
The Italian's first game in English football was an exciting 3-3 draw against Liverpool, and then Brighton defeated Klopp's team twice at home in the Premier League and FA Cup last season.
However, De Zerbi has struggled to maintain the same level this season due to the demands of handling the club's first entry into Europe along with competing at the top of the Premier League.
Nagelsmann was once thought of as the up-and-coming star of European coaching himself after doing well at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig.
A disappointing time at Bayern Munich held him back, but he could restore his reputation with Germany at a home European Championship.
Following a challenging beginning to his time leading the national team, friendly wins over France and the Netherlands have given the German public hope of a memorable summer.
However, Nagelsmann’s participation in the tournament could work against his chances for the Anfield hot seat.
Liverpool’s first pre-season match against Arsenal is just over two weeks after the end of the Euros.
AFP
