‘I would like..’ – Liverpool legend tips Premier League coach as Jurgen Klopp replacement

According to Liverpool legend Phil Thompson, the Reds should replace Jurgen Klopp with his assistant manager Pep Lijnders.

Klopp announced his decision to leave Anfield at the beginning of the year, ending his nine-year stay with the Merseyside club.

During his tenure at the Premier League club, Klopp guided them to a league title and Champions League glory.

The Liverpool owners are now looking for a replacement for their legendary manager.

Liverpool have already identified Klopp’s replacement

Due to his outstanding performance at Bayer Leverkusen, former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso is the early favorite, but the German team are fighting hard to keep him.

Lijnders has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Klopp, who is leaving with him at the end of the season, although Thompson would rather that he stay and take the reins.

“I don’t think he’d [Lijnders] have too many objectors [to replace Klopp], Liverpool fans, if they know enough about the club and the people behind the scenes and the back-up staff for Jurgen,” the former Reds player said on talkSPORT, as quoted by Anfield Index.

“Pep Lijnders is a fantastic coach and if you watch him on the training ground, he is full of it, full of energy and ideas. I would have no problems with him being it. If they announced it I would say yes. There must be something else in the offing for Pep Lijnders. Whatever he does, if he goes with Klopp [or] on his own, I will wish him that best but if he was offered the job I would like to think Pep would have considered it at least.”

Lijnders has hade a huge impact at the club

Lijnders was appointed assistant manager at Liverpool in 2014. He left the team for a short time in 2018 to take over as manager of NEC in his native Netherlands, although he soon came back.

Lijnders is part of a shortlist made by Ajax who are looking to appoint a new manager at the end of the season.

The Liverpool assistant manager is joined by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on Ajax’s shortlist.

Klopp has often praised his assistant for the impact he’s had at Anfield, calling him the “most influential guy” and an “inspiration”.

He is a popular figure among the players and someone who could continue the brilliant work Klopp has done for a long time at Anfield.