Liverpool's next manager: Ruben Amorim & Roberto De Zerbi among favourites as Xabi Alonso commits to Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool's search for Jurgen Klopp's successor rumbles on - with the shock twist that early favourite Xabi Alonso will stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso was the early favourite to take over at Anfield when, in late January, Klopp announced his impending Liverpool exit at the end of this season.
Linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich - who will part ways with Thomas Tuchel this summer - Alonso announced in a press conference on Friday that he will stay with current Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen, a day after it was revealed that Liverpool were not expected to include him on their managerial shortlist.
With Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi billed as the next-best options, Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy analyses what Liverpool will do now...
When you look at what Liverpool want stylistically and in terms of approach, Ruben Amorim ranks very highly. Sporting Lisbon's high pressing metrics are very similar to Liverpool - as is the speed of their play and how direct they are.
Amorim's first full season at Sporting somewhat mirrors what Alonso is doing in his first full season at Leverkusen.
He's delivered Sporting's first league title in 19 years, a domestic double and they'd only suffered one top-flight defeat all season. Sporting are perched atop the table and could be crowned champions for the second time in four years.
Liverpool have in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese market with coaches Pep Lijnders, Vitor Matos and former sporting director Julian Ward all possessing excellent contacts and links there, so they'll have a wealth of information on Amorim.
The other manager heavily linked is Roberto De Zerbi, who has tactical acumen and ability to outperform his budget -
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