Whatever happens, Liverpool fans are in for a ride. In fact, that always seems to be the case — if there’s one that Liverpool are not, it’s dull. Even by the team’s lofty standards, this season and the one that follows promise to be historic, ideally for the right reasons.
Let’s focus on this season, first. As it’s Klopp’s last season, the team have an extra incentive to go all-out and end the season with as many trophies as possible. Whatever happens, it’s sure to be an emotional journey for fans, who have come to love Jurgen Klopp over the past nine years and will want to make sure that he knows it.
The following season will see a change in the dugout, and perhaps a change in fortunes. It’s unclear who will take over from Klopp yet, but whoever does will have a great squad to work with. Let’s dive into what may be in the short- and long-term future for the Merseyside club.
Chasing the Title
Liverpool fans were crushed when Klopp announced he was leaving his post at the end of the season, but if there’s one saving grace, it’s that the German may well go out with a bang. His side have already claimed the Carabao Cup and are odds-on to lift the Europa League trophy in May, with seemingly only Bayer Leverkusen presenting a realistic challenge. It’ll be the Premier League trophy that the club — and its many fans — covet the most, however. It’s Liverpool’s old foes Manchester City that have the best Premier League winner odds, but Klopp’s boys are in close second. With a relatively straightforward run of games closing out the season, there’s more than a glimmer of hope that Liverpool will write themselves into the history books for the second time under the departing Klopp.
Pursuing a Replacement
There are two ways that Klopp’s potential replacements will be looking at the Liverpool manager job. The first is that it’s arguably the most difficult job in football, because after all, how do you replace one of Liverpool’s most successful managers? But the other is more promising. As this season has shown, the squad is packed with talent, so whoever comes in will have a lot of quality players to work with.
So who might take over? The frontrunner is former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is doing wonders as manager of Bayer Leverkusen. That he’s already adored by the Anfield faithful will also afford him a level of patience that may not be extended to other managers if things don’t go to plan in the first stages of the season.
Of course, it’s possible that Alonso doesn’t want the job. He’s also wanted by Bayern Munich, another of his previous clubs, or may decide to stay at Bayer Leverkusen and build his experience. In that case, Ruben Amorim or Roberto de Zerbi may be offered the role. Whatever happens, it’ll take a little getting used to no longer seeing the iconic Klopp on the Liverpool touchline.
The Return of Michael Edwards
Liverpool fans may have been sad to hear that Klopp is leaving, but there is some good news. Michael Edwards, a key player in the team’s success over the past few years, will return to Anfield in a new, more powerful role. He’ll be joined by Richard Hughes, who will join as sporting director.
Those two appointments, widely lauded by those in the know, can give Liverpool fans confidence that the club is in the right hands. Indeed, fans may well hope that the next few seasons are just as successful as the previous few campaigns, which saw the club return to the summit of world football.
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