Jurgen Klopp’s future at Liverpool is under threat with talks having been held over the German’s resignation, a fresh report has claimed.
Despite a mini-resurgence in the Premier League, the Reds have endured a torrid season. The club sit eighth in the league, some seven points from the top four, while they are out of both domestic cups.
Meanwhile, Klopp’s Champions League ambitions were tempered on Tuesday night, as Liverpool were sensationally beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid in the competition’s round-of-16 at Anfield.
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Despite a blistering opening period that saw the Merseyside club go two goals ahead, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior scored twice before the interval to cancel out the Reds’ advantage.
Los Blancos then went on to score three unanswered second-half goals, two of which were netted by Karim Benzema, to condemn Klopp’s side to their heaviest home defeat in Champions League history.
As the dust settles on Liverpool’s humbling evening, reports have emerged that Klopp’s job may be on the line.
Is Klopp’s future at Liverpool in doubt?
According to Caught Offside, Klopp has come under severe pressure at Liverpool after Tuesday’s seismic defeat.
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One source told the publication that the club's hierarchy had held conversations regarding the manager’s position prior to the Champions League first-leg loss.
Indeed, the source described feelings towards Klopp as “samesy” and in need of “freshening up” with “a lot of players looking like they’ve lost their appetite”.
The publication reported earlier this month that the German’s future largely hinged on the club’s performance in the Champions League.
Klopp replacement identified?
The Caught Offside report claimed that Liverpool’s decision-makers have earmarked Bayern Munich boss Julian Naglesmann as a potential replacement.
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The 35-year-old has three years left on his deal in Bavaria, but would allegedly “jump at the chance” to succeed Klopp as manager in the Premier League.
A final decision over the German's future has reportedly not yet been decided.
However, the publication claims that should the Liverpool board decide to part ways with Klopp they will afford him the chance to resign as a token of respect for his transformative eight years at the club.
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Since arriving at Liverpool in October 2015, Klopp has guided the club to three Champions League finals, winning Europe’s premier competition in 2019.
Moreover, in 2020 he secured the Reds’ first league title in 30 years, after three decades of underwhelming domestic performance.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Champions League, Football, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Premier League, Real Madrid, Julian Nagelsmann