Liverpool stars ‘open’ to left-field Jurgen Klopp replacement who is ready to kick off his own management career

FORMER Liverpool star Dean Saunders is tipping No2 Pep Lijnders to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.

And he reckons the Anfield assistant has already got the backing of the dressing room as FSG step up their search for a new manager.

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Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after winning the lot on Merseyside.

Xabi Alonso is the clear favourite to succeed him after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the brink of a first-ever Premier League title.

Liverpool are also interested in Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.

While Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is on their radar too.

However, ex-Kop ace Saunders believes a more left-field approach could be taken by Liverpool owner John Henry and FSG.

He believes Klopp’s assistant Lijnders has emerged as an option, despite only having one extremely brief experience in the dugout.

The Dutchman, 41, first joined Liverpool as assistant in 2014 before leaving to become manager of NEC in January 2018.

But he was sacked just five months later after failing to win promotion to the Eredivisie.

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And he returned to Liverpool soon after, eventually helping them win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

Lijnders’ departure as assistant this manager was confirmed alongside Klopp’s exit message.

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But Saunders reckons there could be a plot twist for Lijnders to stay on as the main man, having already won the backing of the dressing room.

Alan Brazil first told talkSPORT: “I am told the players wouldn’t mind the number two, Pep, taking over.”

Saunders, who scored 11 goals in 42 games for Liverpool, responded: “I heard that as well. At least Lijnders knows what’s going on there.

“It’s difficult, who do you give the job to? That club is that big.”

Lijnders himself spoke about his future after the Carabao Cup final win against Chelsea.

He said: “Nobody will replace Jurgen. I was clear, to be honest, when we had the talk a long time ago, for me it was clear and it made it easier for me.

“I always got offers and my heart says yes, but my loyalty to Jurgen said no.

“So we agreed to finish this project together and it is the right way to do it.

“Liverpool will find a new coach with ideas and I am excited to manage to find the right club. But until the last final of the season, I am focused on Liverpool.”