Connect with us

Liverpool

The almost impossible Liverpool manager swoop that would break the internet

Published

on

Liverpool will soon enter a new era without Jurgen Klopp as manager, but who should be the one to replace him?

Over the past 12 months, Liverpool have found themselves snatching the headlines for a number of reasons. A disappointing end to the 2022/23 season, Mohamed Salah’s globally monitored links to Saudi Arabia, the team’s resurgence to challenge for multiple trophies, and now Jurgen Klopp’s pending departure.

In January, the German stunned the footballing world when he announced that he will be leaving Anfield after nine iconic years in charge. The 56-year-old admitted he is ‘running out of energy’ to do the job and suggested he had made his decision last year as talks started to focus on the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of exciting targets but their main focus is now on finding the perfect replacement for Klopp. It was always going to be a monumental task to take over from a manager who has spearheaded the Reds to such dizzying heights and created a new sense of togetherness among the fanbase. Unfortunately for his replacement, they have a lot to live up to.

It’s no surprise that the gargantuan nature of the job is not sitting well with some candidates. Xabi Alonso remains Liverpool’s main target and while countless updates have emerged since the initial link, one update claimed that the former Reds midfielder would not feel comfortable stepping straight into Klopp’s shoes. Let’s be honest, that is absolutely and completely fair. Not only has Klopp been hugely successful at Anfield but he is adored by the fans and has always been backed by them.


While Alonso is turning heads with his runaway season at Bayer Leverkusen, he is still relatively new to managing a senior side, having only previously coached Real Sociedad’s B team before his move to the Black and Reds.

Liverpool need to target managers who will not be fazed by the magnitude of the role presented to them. A manager with a strong trophy count will be a good place to start but the Reds also need a big personality and someone who is established enough to not fear taking hold of the reins at an English giant like Liverpool.


If you asked fans who they would want as an ideal Klopp replacement, if they could have anybody in the world, it’s likely there would be an interesting mix of responses. How many do you think would say Pep Guardiola?

It’s a completely outlandish, bordering on impossible thing to consider, but the legendary manager ticks a lot of the main boxes that Liverpool are looking for. Before we take a look at Guardiola’s impressive career, it would be the signing of the century if Liverpool prised the 53-year-old away from one of their biggest and closest rivals. It’s not going to happen. Surely there is no narrative in this lifetime that Guardiola leaves City for Liverpool, even if he lets his contract run down and leaves freely in 2025.

It’s like picturing the same scenario but flipped, with Reds fans learning Klopp has returned to coaching following a photo of him holding up a sky blue jersey, grinning from ear to ear with the hashtag #WelcomeJurgen doing the rounds. It is an utterly, utterly devastating and eye-twitching thought.

But it’s fun to play a bit of ‘imagine that’, and if we’re talking about who would be a solid Klopp replacement — without factoring in how strange it would be, how likely it is, or whether fans would even want him or not — Guardiola is unarguably up there.

The biggest thing to note is Guardiola and Klopp’s respect for one another. These two juggernauts have gone toe-to-toe over the years and value each other as both competition and peers. Both have admitted in the past that they have been motivated to become a better competitor thanks to the pressure and rivalry the other has instilled. However, Klopp is adamant there is no negative rivalry between the two iconic managers, and he recently had a lot of praise for Spaniard.

“Pep is the best manager in the world. I have a really good life being not even close to that. I don’t know how could I judge managers from the past but in my lifetime he’s the outstanding manager. I see excellence when I face it and Pep is definitely that.”

The respect goes both ways, as Guardiola also appreciates Klopp’s pedigree as a manager and the unit he has built at Liverpool. He lauded the German for his time in charge of Mainz and Dortmund as well as Liverpool, and said his style of play is ‘so attractive and positive’.

Guardiola is also an admirer of Liverpool as a team, not just Klopp. When then two sides met in their recent title-challenging clash, the City boss praised the Reds for their display and confirmed the heavy task that always comes ahead of an Anfield visit. The two sides drew 1-1 to keep this enthralling chase wide open.

“They are really good with the way that they play. It is not just character, it is the organisation from the way that they play,” he told We give a lot of credit to Liverpool. Today, they prove again that what they have done is unbelievable. I know how difficult it is to come here and win.”

Guardiola is serial winner and has now won everything possible with Man City following their long-awaited Champions League success. Since his arrival in 2016, the 53-year-old has won 16 trophies with the Citizens, including three consecutive Premier League titles. Just focusing on his City tenure alone and Guardiola earns the accolade of one of the world’s leading managers, then you look at his previous success.

After a glittering career with Barcelona as a player, the Spaniard guided his former team to glory as a manager, lifting 14 trophies during his four year tenure. He then enjoyed further success with Bayern Munich and he is the only manager in history to win the continental treble twice. Guardiola is also the record-holder for most consecutive league games won in La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Premier League.

His achievements are simply mouthwatering and his respect for Liverpool and Klopp’s work at the club would make him a sensational appointment, whether it’s a completely out-of-this-world idea to consider or not.




Click to comment
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest


0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah signs new contract with Liverpool FC

Published

on

Mohamed Salah signs new contract with Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC can announce Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract that will keep him with the club beyond the 2024-25 season.

Mohamed Salah signs new contract with Liverpool FC

The forward, who is enjoying another stellar campaign for the Reds, has committed his future by putting pen to paper on the deal.

So far this term, Salah has scored 32 goals in just 45 appearances in all competitions – 27 of which have come in the Premier League, making him the division’s leading marksman. These strikes have been supplemented by 22 assists for his teammates.

And today’s news means Salah will extend an eight-year stay at Anfield into the future and continue to help Arne Slot’s team challenge for the game’s biggest honours.


He told Liverpoolfc.com in exclusive reaction: “Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.

“It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.


“I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.”

Salah has cemented himself as a Liverpool legend since his transfer from AS Roma in the summer of 2017.

His remarkable record in front of goal has taken him to outright third in the Reds’ all-time top scorers list, with 243 strikes in 394 appearances to date.

During his time at Anfield, Salah has lifted seven major honours, picking up medals in the Premier League and Champions League, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.

In addition, he has won the Premier League Golden Boot on three occasions, been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice and taken home two FWA Footballer of the Year awards.

Now Salah will look to add further to those collections together with Liverpool, having committed his future to the club once more.




Continue Reading

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa left amazed after what Liverpool teammate did in training

Published

on

Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa Left Stunned by Liverpool Teammate’s Jaw-Dropping Training Moment

Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa left amazed after what Liverpool teammate did in training

Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton has not featured for Arne Slot’s side since January but has left his Reds teammates in awe especially Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa after a stunning training ground display.

Tyler Morton, the 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder, left teammates including Mohamed Salah in awe during a recent training session at the AXA Training Centre.

Despite only making five appearances for the Reds this season and not featuring since late January, he’s been turning heads in training. After two seasons on loan with Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, the England U21s international had hinted at a potential departure from Liverpool in January due to limited playing time.

However, he remained with the club post the transfer window closure. Arne Slot, in early February, revealed that Morton had undergone surgery following a shoulder injury. Although he hasn’t been included in a matchday squad since January, he was seen back in training towards the end of March, just before the Merseyside derby.


Morton recently stunned his teammates by scoring an impressive goal during a training drill at the AXA Training Centre. As Salah, Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo looked on, Morton shrugged off some playful teasing from a coach to score with aplomb.


The Reds’ squad was left in awe after witnessing a stunning display of skill from their midfielder, who executed a perfect Cruyff turn and flick, eliciting a ‘Wow!’ from his teammates before he scored with a sublime curl into the bottom corner, sparking further applause.

Gakpo celebrated with a hand-twirling gesture, and amid the laughter, Chiesa exclaimed, “You’re a wizard!”. Morton then linked up with a coach for a one-two, dashing onto a through-ball. Anticipating the outcome, Gakpo yelled ‘Hat-trick!” just before the midfielder expertly finished with his left foot from a tight angle, prompting more cheers from his teammates.

Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa left amazed after what Liverpool teammate did in training

Morton’s celebration saw him slide on his knees in the corner, joined by Harvey Elliott, as Salah chuckled and Gakpo praised, “Well done, Ty!”. Chiesa was spotted applauding and remarking “nice”, while Elliott, after a celebratory leap, was overheard saying, “Never seen anything like it” as he rejoined the group.

Following Liverpool’s sharing of the goal on social media, Elliott later posted the clip to his Instagram story, captioning it: “Best thing I’ve ever seen! Limbs!”. As Liverpool gears up for their next match against West Ham United at home on Sunday, all eyes are on whether Morton, now back in training, will make it into Slot’s matchday squad or whether he will miss out again.




Continue Reading

Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp’s Wife Expresses Her True Feelings: Life Outside Anfield

Published

on

It’s been a year since Jürgen Klopp brought his unforgettable Liverpool chapter to a close—a decision that shocked fans, left a void in the heart of Anfield, and quietly shifted the rhythm of life for those closest to him. Among them is Ulla Sandrock, Klopp’s wife, who recently opened up about how life has changed since leaving Merseyside behind.

Jürgen Klopp’s Wife

“It Was Never Just Football”

Reflecting on their time in Liverpool, Ulla describes it as more than just a footballing journey. “It was a full life,” she shared. “It wasn’t just about the trophies or the matches—it was about the people, the passion, the city that welcomed us with open arms.”

As the woman who stood beside one of the most iconic managers in Premier League history, Ulla’s role was largely behind the scenes—but pivotal. She gave Klopp the calm and clarity he needed to lead with heart.

A New Rhythm

Since their departure, Ulla and Jürgen have embraced a quieter lifestyle—more travel, more time together, and more space to breathe. “We don’t wake up thinking about the next fixture anymore,” she smiled. “Now, we wake up and ask, ‘Where should we go today?’”


Jürgen Klopp’s Wife

But leaving Liverpool wasn’t easy. “It was home,” Ulla said simply. “We built a life there. Leaving was like leaving family.”


A Lasting Connection

Though they now live away from the buzz of the Premier League, the love for Liverpool still runs deep in their hearts. “We still follow the club, still watch the games,” Ulla admitted. “And when Liverpool wins, we still smile like we’re part of it—because in many ways, we always will be.”

What Lies Ahead

Ulla hinted at future plans—some writing, some philanthropy, and above all, peace. “We gave so much of ourselves to football. Now it’s time to enjoy what we’ve built together.”

Jürgen Klopp’s Wife

As the Klopp era remains etched in the annals of Liverpool history, Ulla’s quiet strength reminds us that behind every great leader is often an even greater love—one that now gets to write its next chapter far away from the floodlights of Anfield.




Continue Reading

Liverpool

Liverpool complete Man City swoop that could have huge impact on both clubs

Published

on

Liverpool are set to appoint Laurie Shaw as their new chief scientist, with the Scot currently on gardening leave after leaving his role as director of football data at the City Football Group.

Liverpool complete Man City swoop that could have huge impact on both clubs

Liverpool have reportedly poached Laurie Shaw from rivals Manchester City to become the club’s new chief scientist. Shaw joined the City Football Group (CFG) in February 2021, leaving his role as a research scientist and lecturer at Harvard University to start working in football.

The Scot was appointed head of AI at CFG, the multi-club model that owns stakes in a number of teams including City, Girona and Palermo, before becoming director of football data in September 2023.

However, the Liverpool Echo are reporting that he is now set to join Premier League rivals Liverpool after serving a period of gardening leave.

The report states that he is set to work specifically with Liverpool, although owners Fenway Sports Group do have stakes in a number of other sports teams around the world.


Shaw’s new role will see him work under Liverpool’s director of research Will Spearman, with the club’s data department widely viewed as one of the best in football.

Dr Ian Graham spearheaded Liverpool’s analytics department after joining the club in 2012, with Spearman replacing him when he left in 2023. Liverpool’s use of data has been a huge part of their success in recent years and the addition of Shaw will come as a huge boost for the Reds.


Opening up about how analytics helped shape Liverpool’s success, Graham told The Athletic last year: “Mike Gordon, Michael Edwards, myself and the rest of the transfer committee always had the belief the process would pay off if we could get all the parts working properly.

“Our personalities were similar in not caring about the outside noise and sticking to a long-term view. The first guy I ever hired to my team, I told him ‘I’m not going to say this is a job for life; if we’re still here after two years we’re doing well’.

“I think at most clubs with those failures in the first few years, they would have gone in another direction. But Fenway knew the process was working.

“They could see that a department was being created which would give us an edge over other clubs in the future. It was just that the rest of the world couldn’t see it at that time.

“The typical experience of a data person going into a club back in the early 2010s was you come in with some bright ideas straight out of university and some old football guys think, ‘This is all rubbish; we’re not going to listen to this stuff’.

“There was resistance — and there was certainly resistance from Brendan [Rodgers]. Tough as that was, I knew it was a much better position to be in than at most clubs because I had buy-in from the owners and from Michael who was my direct manager.”




Continue Reading

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah sends wordless message within hours of major Liverpool contract update

Published

on

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is on the verge of signing a new contract at Anfield to extend his stay beyond this summer.

Mohamed Salah sends wordless message within hours of major Liverpool contract update

Mohamed Salah took to social media within two hours of the news dropping that Liverpool are increasingly confident he will sign a new contract with the club. As reported by the ECHO on Wednesday evening, the expectation from Liverpool is that a deal will be struck between them and the 32-year-old.

The forward’s current contract expires in the summer and is therefore able to walk away on a free transfer. However, that now appears to be unlikely with Salah having always insisted that he wishes to remain at Anfield beyond this summer.

The news about the breakthrough in negotiations dropped around 5pm on Wednesday, and at 6.45pm, Salah took to X to post two pictures of himself. The first was of him smiling in the gym, and the other featured the forward and team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai at the coffee bar at the club’s AXA Training Centre.

No caption was included on the post, but Salah has long spoken of his desire to remain a Liverpool player beyond this summer. And back in January, Reds boss Arne Slot said the club are keen for Salah to extend his stay.


Mohamed Salah sends wordless message within hours of major Liverpool contract update

https://x.com/MoSalah/status/1910026262304718982?t=X5zZ8Vo_o48RxZB23wdziA&s=19


He said: “It would be a surprise if anyone said they didn’t want Mo Salah. He has done so well for so many years, that everyone probably wants him.

“He has done so well without my advice so he can keep doing what is best for his career, even without my advice. My advice to him would be different to the one [of Al Faisal].

“Everybody wants him, including us. We, of course, want him to extend as well.

“That is clear. But I am not surprised someone wants him.

“He has done so many smart things in his career, so he will make the right decision for himself and hopefully for us as well.”

Providing an update on his future in January, Salah said: “It’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city, that is the thing in my head.” Asked if he really believed this campaign would be his last hurrah, he continued: “So far, yeah, it is the last six months.

“There is nothing, no progress there. We are far away from any progress so we just need to wait and see.”

Before he continued: “I think the thing in my head is, ‘OK, if this is your last six months or last year, what do you want to see in the future?’ Do you want to look back and say, ‘Oh, I was concerned about the contract or stressed?’

“Or do you just want to say, ‘OK, I had an unbelievable season.’ So that is in my head now, if I feel a kind of distraction I just remind myself, ‘You want to look back and say, ‘I had an unbelievable season,’ so that’s what I want to do.”

 




Continue Reading

Liverpool

New Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk Liverpool contract lengths after major ‘breakthrough’

Published

on

Liverpool are closing in on fresh contract terms with Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk

New Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk Liverpool contract lengths after major ‘breakthrough’

The news that almost all Liverpool fans will have been craving for the last number of months arrived on Thursday with widespread reports claiming key pair Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were closing in on new deals at the club.

Salah and Van Dijk, along with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, are all out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season. Alexander-Arnold has been strongly tipped to join Real Madrid as a free agent ahead of next campaign. However, Salah and Van Dijk are now both set to stay with a number of reports on Thursday claiming Liverpool were increasingly confident of finalising fresh terms with the pair.

The news can provide the Reds with a major boost heading into the final seven games of the campaign as they look to rack up the required points to confirm themselves as Premier League champions.

Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk new contract lengths

David Ornstein of The Athletic provided more detailed information on the contract situation of Salah and Van Dijk, as he revealed that the pair are poised to both sign new two-year deals. It would keep them at the club until the summer of 2027.


He wrote on X: “Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk closing in on signing new 2yr [sic] contracts with Liverpool. Both players into final months of existing deals but breakthrough found in negotiations & fresh terms set to extend key pair at Liverpool until summer 2027.”

New Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk Liverpool contract lengths after major ‘breakthrough’


While Liverpool look closer to signing Salah and Van Dijk on new deals, Alexander-Arnold appears no closer to remaining with his boyhood club as he continues to be pursued by Real Madrid. All three players have been free to speak to foreign clubs since January 1 and agree a pre-contract ahead of next season.

Speaking last week after a 3-2 loss to Fulham, Van Dijk said of his contract, stating: “There is progress, yeah. I don’t know [if I’ll stay], we’ll see. Listen, these are internal discussions and we’ll see. I love the club, I love the fans and they were there for us again and we wanted to reward them.”

How important are Salah and Van Dijk to Liverpool?

While the pair are entering the latter years of their respective careers, there is no doubting the quality that both men still possess. Salah turns 33 and Van Dijk will be 34 by the time next season rolls around but neither of the duo have shown signs of droppinf off this season. Van Dijk has played the most out of any Liverpool player in all competitions with Salah right behind him in the minutes played rankings.

Salah has scored a remarkable 32 goals and provided 22 assists in all competitions. His goal tally is double that of Liverpool’s second best goalscorer Cody Gakpo. Van Dijk has provided an assured presence in the heart of the Liverpool defence this season as he looks to become only the second player to captain the club to a league title in the Premier League era.

Speaking about the defender earlier in the season, Reds boss Arne Slot said: “He deserves every compliment he gets. He’s been outstanding for this club for so many years and since I’ve been working here, he’s been outstanding for me. He wants, like all the others, to make it a great season. I hope I can enjoy working with him for a long time – I don’t think that’s a surprise.”




Continue Reading

Liverpool

‘I made a mistake’ – Jurgen Klopp wanted to punch himself after dreadful error he fixed at Liverpool

Published

on

“I made a mistake.” Those were the candid words of Jurgen Klopp, who once admitted he wanted to punch himself after passing up on Sadio Mane—before eventually making amends by signing him at Liverpool, where the Senegalese forward would go on to become a legend.

'I made a mistake' - Jurgen Klopp wanted to punch himself after dreadful error he fixed at Liverpool

Sadio Mane, who turns 33 today, proved to be one of Klopp’s most inspired signings—though it took a second chance for the move to happen. After winning every major trophy with Liverpool, Mane called time on his Anfield career in the summer of 2022 with a £35m switch to Bayern Munich.

Although he won the Bundesliga, his stint in Germany was underwhelming. Injuries hampered his progress, and a dressing room altercation with Leroy Sane didn’t help. Mane scored 12 goals in 38 appearances, starting only 27 times before moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in August 2023.

Despite his struggles abroad, Mane’s Liverpool legacy remains untarnished. He scored 120 goals over six seasons, helping the Reds reclaim their place in Europe’s elite and win six trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.

When Mane joined from Southampton in 2016, Liverpool already had Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah would arrive the following year to complete one of the deadliest front threes in European football.


'I made a mistake' - Jurgen Klopp wanted to punch himself after dreadful error he fixed at Liverpool

Interestingly, Mane could have linked up with Klopp much earlier. The German coach first considered signing him in 2014 while managing Borussia Dortmund, having tracked his rise since the 2012 London Olympics. The two even held talks, but Klopp backed out.


“I made a mistake,” Klopp later confessed. “We met, we talked—but I didn’t feel it at the time. His baseball cap was askew, the blond streak, he looked like a rapper just starting out. I thought, ‘I don’t have time for this’. I got it totally wrong. A few months later I wanted to punch myself.”

With limited transfer options at Dortmund, Klopp said he couldn’t afford to make the wrong call. But once he arrived at Liverpool and had another chance, there was no hesitation.

“When Michael Edwards mentioned him in 2016, I didn’t need convincing. I just said, ‘Let’s do it.’ It was one of my first big Liverpool decisions, and it felt right.”

Dortmund’s loss was Liverpool’s gain. In fact, Klopp managed to snatch Mane from under Manchester United’s nose.

“I was really close to going to Manchester United,” Mane revealed in an interview with The Telegraph. “Everything was agreed. I had the contract.”

Then came the call from Klopp.

“He said, ‘Sadio, let me explain what happened at Dortmund.’ I told him, ‘It’s okay, it happened. I forgive you.’ Then he said, ‘Now I want you at Liverpool.’ And I said, ‘Okay, let’s focus on the future.’”

“I made a mistake,” Klopp had said—and Liverpool fans will forever be grateful he got a second chance to put it right.

 




Continue Reading

Liverpool

After Months of Injustice, Isaac Kearney Finally Wins—Thanks to Melissa and Loyal Fans

Published

on

After months of injustice, Isaac Kearney and his family have finally found relief after a long and painful battle against online impersonation.

A fake Facebook page titled “Isaac Kearney Fans” had been exploiting his name and image, deceiving people into sending money under false pretenses.

After Months of Injustice, Isaac Kearney Finally Wins—Thanks to Melissa and Loyal Fans

The anonymous owner of the page posed as Isaac, even going as far as publishing a book under his name—selling it for $9 per copy. Many fans believed it was authentic, unaware that they were being misled by a scammer hiding behind a screen.

Isaac’s mother, distraught and determined to protect her son, took action by reporting the page to Facebook multiple times. Unfortunately, those reports were met with silence. Facebook refused to take down the page, stating it didn’t violate community standards. One fan even shared how his report was rejected with a similar response. It was disheartening.


After months of injustice, the pain deepened—not just for Isaac’s family, but for loyal fans who watched helplessly as the impersonation continued. That was until Melissa, a passionate fan and advocate, stepped in.

Melissa raised her voice on social media, calling out the injustice and urging fellow fans to take collective action. Her message sparked a movement. Fans rallied, and in a coordinated effort, they flooded Facebook with reports, demanding the removal of the fraudulent page.


Finally, after months of injustice, justice arrived.

Yesterday, Facebook took down the fake page. What the system failed to do, the people accomplished—thanks to unity, persistence, and one courageous voice that refused to stay silent.

To Melissa, to Isaac’s resilient mother, and to every loyal fan who stood up for truth—this victory belongs to you. It proves that even in a world of algorithms and bureaucracy, the human voice still holds power.




Continue Reading

Trending

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x