Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour has passed its last European stop – and now there’s only six left in England.
Liverpool saw their hopes of winning the Europa League in Dublin next month dashed on Thursday, as they could only muster a 1-0 victory away to Italian side Atalanta. The damage was done in the first leg, with the Reds having been trounced 3-0 by Gian Piero Gasperini’s men on home soil.
Gasperini is one of the host of managers being tipped to succeed Klopp, but Anfield chiefs are still assessing multiple candidates and are yet to begin formal talks. On the pitch, Liverpool’s focus is on trying to leapfrog Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League title race, with Sunday’s trip to Fulham kicking off his final set of six fixtures.
Julian Nagelsmann has signed a new two-year contract with the German national team, ending any speculation that he might become Liverpool’s next manager. Nagelsmann, who’s still just 36, was linked with both the Anfield hot seat and the soon-to-be vacant Bayern Munich job.
But the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig boss – who was sacked by Bayern only last March – has nailed his colours to the mast. “This is a decision of the heart,” Nagelsmann declared. “It is a great honour to be able to train the national team and work with the best players in the country.”
Klopp “insane” achievement of managing to play against Atalanta. The fit-again right-back, who last completed a full game on January 7, had to be subbed off after 72 minutes in Bergamo, but that was enough for Klopp to be mightily impressed.
“If Trent Alexander-Arnold had been a bit fitter we could have gone a bit longer, but it is insane that he has even played” the Reds manager admitted post-match. “In the end, he was running out of gas.”
