It promises to be a busy summer for Liverpool as they look to prepare themselves as well as possible for a first season without manager Jurgen Klopp in nearly a decade.
Liverpool still have a chance to finish the current season with three trophies, but some are still looking beyond this season and wondering what lies ahead without Jurgen Klopp.
Long-serving manager Klopp is set to leave at the end of the season after nearly nine years in charge. While the Reds’ quadruple hopes ended with defeat to Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup winners are very much alive in the Premier League and Europa League.
Several candidates have emerged to replace Klopp, with plenty of time to get the right man in place. However, the dugout isn’t the only area where the Merseyside club have big decisions to make.
We’ve also got an important league update as Liverpool prepare to return to action against Brighton on Sunday. Here are the latest lines from around Anfield.
Alonso deal ‘already agreed’
Liverpool have already got a deal in place for Xabi Alonso to replace Jurgen Klopp, according to broadcaster Richard Keys. Alonso is currently in charge at Bayer Leverkusen, who could yet face off against Liverpool in the Europa League final at the end of the season.
“As I always say when I share news like this – these big deals can always go wrong,” Keys wrote. “There’s a lot to go wrong when they’re blue riband, whether it’s a player or coach/manager involved, but my information is that Alonso has decided on Liverpool.”
Former Spain international midfielder Alonso took over at Leverkusen partway through last season, lifting them up the Bundesliga table before going even better this term. The title contenders sit 10 points clear of closest rivals Bayern Munich with eight games remaining and are yet to taste defeat in any competition this term.
Reds learn referee for Brighton clash
David Coote has been announced as the referee for Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League game against Brighton. Craig Pawson is the fourth official for the game, a 2pm kick-off on Sunday, with Paul Tierney on VAR duty.
Some Liverpool fans have pointed to previous run-ins with the officials in question. Coote was the VAR official who failed to award the Reds a penalty for handball against Arsenal, a decision which referees chief Howard Webb later said was wrong, while it was Tierney who was at the centre of a drop-ball controversy in the Reds’ late win against Nottingham Forest.
With Arsenal and Manchester City facing off later on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp’s team will have a chance to put the pressure on their rivals. The reverse fixture against Brighton in October ended all-square, with Mohamed Salah scoring both Liverpool goals in a 2-2 draw.
Alexander-Arnold plans come to light
Liverpool will make it a priority to resolve the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold once they have appointed their next manager. The right-back is set to enter the final year of his contract in a few months, with a decision needing to be made amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
According to The Mail, Madrid are keeping tabs on Alexander-Arnold’s situation. It wouldn’t be the first time a Liverpool player has moved to the Spanish capital, with current managerial target Xabi Alonso among those to do so.
Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only big name whose contract is close to expiry. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also out of contract in 2025, and decisions need to be made on all three stars.
