Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

As the season draws ever closer to its conclusion, Liverpool still hasn't announced who will be Jürgen Klopp's replacement or, if the club does know, it is very much keeping it under wraps.

Xabi Alonso had been the primary candidate to replace the German, considering his success with Bayer Leverkusen this season.

However, the former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder surprised many with his public announcement to remain with Leverkusen for another season, to build on the back of this season.



The Portuguese manager guided Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in 2021 and has emerged as one of the brightest managers in the European game over the last couple of seasons.

READ MORE: Liverpool warned of 'difficult' Rúben Amorim problem amid Jürgen Klopp issue

READ MORE: Zinedine Zidane 'prefers' Premier League job as Man Utd wants $49m star who turned down Liverpool

The likes of Roberto De Zerbi, who has impressed at Brighton in his 18 months on the coast, and Thiago Motta — bringing Bologna to the verge of Champions League football next season — have also been connected with the almighty challenge of replacing Klopp, who is leaving the club after nine years to take a sabbatical.

One manager who likely won't be leading Liverpool next season is Croatian coach Niko Kova?.

That's according to German journalist Christian Falk, who says that while Kovac's representatives spoke to Liverpool, he isn't likely to be on the list.

"Manager Niko Kova? was most recently released in Wolfsburg.

But it is also true that he is on an extended list of candidates who are not yet an issue but which the club is monitoring."

With the season ending soon, it's likely that any announcement from Liverpool won't be made until the final ball is kicked under the Klopp era.

This is also to respect the incoming manager and his current club, especially if they're fighting for silverware at this stage of the season.

Liverpool.com says: Kova? was never likely high up on Liverpool's list, so this news is hardly surprising.