Football News

Everybody was expecting twists and turns during the closing weeks of Liverpool's season. However, supporters had expected it to be confined to the Premier League title race.

Instead, the uncertainty over the final outcome is now also being extended to the identity of Jurgen Klopp's replacement as manager.

The intrigue over the next Reds boss took an unexpected turn on Monday with the claim Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, regarded as one of the front-runners for the role, now looked unlikely to be the preferred candidate for the job with West Ham United now being linked with his signature.

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It is the latest major development since last month when Xabi Alonso, swiftly installed as the favourite to succeed Klopp, ruled himself out of the running by declaring his intention to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool, for their part, remain insistent no preferred candidate has been identified as they continue to undertake extensive research and due diligence around a number of viable names. And Amorim, given his impressive record at Sporting in recent seasons and potential availability in the summer, will be among those to have been considered.

But the longer no appointment is confirmed, so the conjecture and speculation will grow.

Fenway Sports Group head of football Michael Edwards, assisted by newly-appointed Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, has been tasked with pinpointing the new boss, with it understood for some time the hierarchy are willing to pursue a manager who would best fit the revamped structure of the club rather than merely be the

Jurgen Klopp Virgil Van-Dijk Cody Gakpo Jose Mourinho Ruben Amorim Ryan Gravenberch Sporting Lisbon Michael Edwards Liverpool Richard Hughes