A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as the Reds make an offer to an ‘intelligent’ manager to replace Jurgen Klopp and Alisson Becker shares a ‘good sign’ at Anfield.
Besiktas eye Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders to replace Fernando Santos
Super Lig giants Besiktas are now interested in hiring Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders to replace Fernando Santos. The Istanbul outing are seeking a new head coach after sacking the Portuguese tactician last week. He left with the Black Eagles miles from title contention.
Besiktas are fighting with Trabzonspor to qualify for the Europa League, with the Champions League positions out of reach. They sit fourth in the Super Lig through 32 fixtures on only 48 points, with leaders Galatasaray holding 87 and challengers Fenerbahce sitting on 85 so far.
But Tupras Stadium chiefs also have eyes on their future with Besiktas now studying Lijnders as a replacement for Santos. That is according to Sabah, which reports the Black Eagles plan to speak with Lijnders about returning to management after six years as Jurgen Klopp’s No2.
Read more about Besiktas’ interest in appointing Liverpool assistant Lijnders, here.
Liverpool make Ruben Amorim an offer to replace Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool have now formally made Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim an offer to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that the Reds slapped a three-year deal on the table to try and tempt the 39-year-old into being their next coach.
Amorim, who Micah Richards calls ‘really intelligent’, is also eager to accept their offer. But Liverpool do not yet have an agreement with Sporting to appoint the Portuguese. He has a contract in Lisbon until 2026 and has the Leoes atop the Liga Portugal table after 29 games.
Reports by The Telegraph have previously claimed that Amorim has a release clause worth €15m (£13m). But Liverpool are yet to trigger the clause to appoint who TEAMtalk claims is eager to offer a public image of loyalty to Sporting, despite his willingness to replace Klopp.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in Amorim replacing Klopp at Anfield, here.
Alisson Becker shares a ‘good sign’ for the Premier League title race
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker thinks his return from a hamstring injury is a ‘good sign’ for their hopes of winning the Premier League title. The 31-year-old made his return in their 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace last Sunday after missing the club’s prior eight games.
The Eagles winning on Merseyside left the Reds third in the table after 32 fixtures. Liverpool trail Manchester City by two points and sit behind Arsenal on goal difference. They also have the worst goal difference among the title rivals at +41 to the Gunners’ +49 and Citizens’ +44.
Jurgen Klopp relied on Caoimhin Kelleher to stand in for Liverpool but immediately recalled Alisson as soon as he could. Missing two months of action was also tough for their Brazilian international. But Alisson is feeling optimistic as he feels fitter than ever following his injury.
“It was hard but I have a strong family on my side,” Alisson told LFCTV. “My kids, my wife [and] the physio department, everybody helped me a lot to be back in good shape.
“I feel better than I was when I got injured, so that’s a good sign. I’m looking forward to the game [against Atalanta] and for the rest of the season.”
Read more about what Alisson said about his return from injury at Liverpool, here.