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Ever since Jurgen Klopp confirmed in January that the current campaign would signify his last at Anfield, the Bayer Leverkusen boss has been considered the overwhelming favourite to replace him.

Bayern Munich, who trail Alonso’s side by 10 points in the Bundesliga title race, have also been pursuing the 42-year-old.

But after club President Uli Hoeness admitted it would be “impossible” to secure the services of the Spaniard for next season, the Times have reported that Liverpool too are looking elsewhere, with Alonso seemingly favouring the option of another year at Leverkusen.

The returning Michael Edwards, recently appointed CEO of Fenway Sports Group, is set to be part of the process of identifying a lead candidate with Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim heavily linked.

The 39-year-old, who landed the Primeira Liga title in his first season in charge of the club in 2020/21, has a release clause of 13.2million.

That figure is halved from two years ago, with the fee diminishing the longer Amorim gets into his contract.

Sporting are currently a point clear of reigning champions Benfica in their bid for another title, with Anorim having remained tight-lipped on speculation over his future.

His rival in that title race is also in the frame to head to Merseyside though, with Benfica boss Roger Schmidt said to be on Liverpool’s radar.

Ironically, the 57-year-old has previously coached at Leverkusen, and won a KNVB Cup with PSV Eindhoven before heading to Portugal in the summer of 2022.

Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is also reported to be listed, having won a host of admirers after securing European football for Brighton following the departure of Graham Potter last season.

He led the club into the Champions League this season for only the third time in their history, although they failed to make it through to the group stages before exiting the Europa League at the hands of Freiburg.

Haise however, has spent his whole playing and coaching career in his native France, and Liverpool fans are unlikely to be enamoured with his modest CV.