Liverpool might have to shake hands with the enemy until perfect new manager is available

When Liverpool were last in the market for a new manager back in 2015, they were 10th in the Premier League table.

They hadn’t won the title for 25 years, they had competed in the Champions League just once since 2009 - having last been crowned champions of Europe in 2005 - and had won just one domestic cup since 2006.

Yet that underwhelming modern record did not hinder them when it came to choosing a successor to the sacked Brendan Rodgers. In Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti, they were left pursuing the two most sought-after managers around.

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Now, nearly a decade on as Klopp prepares to depart, Liverpool have never been in a stronger position at a time when attracting a new manager in the Premier League era. Premier League champions in 2020, they have been genuine title-contenders four times in the past six years and only failed to qualify for the Champions League once since 2017.

They won the Champions League most recently in 2019, and have reached two other finals in the past six years, while they have also been crowned champions of the world for the first time. Lifting five other trophies, they have been left trophyless just once since 2018.

Boasting a squad with a revamped midfield and attack, ‘Liverpool 2.0’ is only at the start of its journey. Klopp’s successor will be picking up the baton of a young side that should only get better and better in the years ahead.

“I think you have to leave the club in a better state than it was when you arrived,” Klopp has said on more than one occasion over the years. On that score, he